ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Subsidies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers did not receive Common Agricultural Policy subsidy payments because of inaccuracies in the maps of their land which they submitted to his Department in the last two years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The data required to provide the number of farmers that did not receive CAP subsidy payments because of inaccuracies in the maps of their land is not held in a form that is easily accessible. The process to reconcile such information is resource intensive, time consuming and would cost more than £750 to collate.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the new set of maps issued by the Rural Payments Agency in connection with claims for payment under the single payment scheme will seek to prevent claims being submitted by more than one farmer per field.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Single payment scheme applicants can only claim for land at their disposal for the relevant scheme year. Instances where the same field is being claimed by more than one farmer are identified and resolved through the SPS claim validation process.
	The rural land register mapping update exercise will increase the accuracy of the map data used to validate these claims for payment.

Air Pollution

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of  (a) particulate matter,  (b) nitrogen dioxide and  (c) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adjacent to main roads to within the limits prescribed in EU legislation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 9 July 2009
	EU air quality limits are already met across 99 per cent. of the UK (land area). For the very small parts of the country where limit values are not yet met, including London, roadside locations present the greatest challenge. The UK, like most other member states is using the provisions in EU legislation to secure from the European Commission additional time to meet the limit values for both particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. If successful these would extend the compliance deadlines to 2011 for particulate matter and to 2015 for nitrogen dioxide.
	The Government submitted in April their application for particulate matter:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/euint/eudirectives/airqualdirectives/notification.htm
	and is working with the Mayor of London and relevant local authorities with a view to consulting on the application for nitrogen dioxide early in 2010. Applications need to set out the measures that will be taken to meet the limit values by the extended deadlines. The additional time will allow current and planned measures to take effect.
	EU target values for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons do not come into force until 2012. In 2008 all monitoring sites at roadside locations exhibited concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon below the target value. Measures to reduce emissions from traffic source will continue to reduce concentrations at urban sites.
	More widely, Government are working to improve the regulation of biomass heating systems to ensure that their rollout minimises any negative impact on air quality.

Air Pollution

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on his Department's request for a derogation from EU air quality standards in respect of particulate matter; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: EU air quality limits are already met across 99 per cent. of the UK (land area). For the very small parts of the UK where limit values are not yet met, roadside locations present the greatest challenge. The UK, like most other member states, is using the provisions under directive 2008/50/EC to secure additional time from the European Commission to meet the limit values for particulate matter (PM10).
	In April, following public consultation, the UK Government submitted a notification to the Commission applying for the additional time available for eight areas across the UK. These are areas where at some point since 2005 exceedences of the PM10 limit values have been reported to the Commission.
	Additional information was submitted to the Commission at the beginning of July in response to a request from them following their initial examination of the application. The Commission has indicated that it will conclude its examination in the autumn.
	The UK application is available on the DEFRA website at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/eu-int/eu-directives/airqual-directives/notification.htm
	The additional information provided to the Commission shall be available on the website shortly.

Animals: Exports

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress has been made in reducing levels of live animal exports.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The export of live animals is a lawful trade and to restrict it would be contrary to free trade rules. Such trade must, though, adhere to the standards set out in health and welfare rules.
	The Government would prefer a trade in meat to the long distance transport of live animals to slaughter, whether in the UK, or across borders.

Batteries: Recycling

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to increase rates of battery recycling to meet the requirements of the EU batteries directive.

Dan Norris: The Government have introduced new UK regulations to transpose the EU's batteries directive. The regulations make battery producers responsible for collecting, treating and recycling waste batteries.
	Most industrial and automotive batteries are already recycled. The regulations seek to ensure that this will continue. However, few portable batteries are currently recycled. The new regulations require portable battery producers to join a Battery Compliance Scheme. The schemes will be responsible for increasing battery collection rates. DEFRA and the schemes will also carry out publicity activities to encourage consumers to recycle their batteries. From February 2010, most shops selling household batteries will collect waste batteries from consumers.

Batteries: Waste Disposal

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the environmental effects of the disposal of batteries.

Dan Norris: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform published an impact assessment on the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 (SI No. 890/2009) in May. This covers environmental effects and can be found at:
	http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/em/uksiem_20090890_en.pdf

Beef: Imports

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will estimate the volume of Brazilian beef imported into the UK which was raised in illegally deforested areas in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We do not hold figures on the volume of Brazilian beef imported into the UK which would link across to deforestation.
	For animal health purposes, Brazil is split into 'safe' and 'unsafe' disease regions, to prevent the arrival of disease into either the UK or EU. The meat imported to the EU must be accompanied by appropriate animal and public health certification and must come from EU approved plants in the exporting country (in this case Brazil).
	Any illegal imports of Brazilian meat would be seized, destroyed or re-exported.
	We are working hard internationally, including under the UNFCCC to find ways of helping developing countries to address deforestation. The approach aims to provide incentives to reduce deforestation through reflecting the real value of forests, including their role in reducing emissions.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Devon

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for the introduction of practical steps to reduce levels of bovine tuberculosis in Devon; and what the timescale is of those plans.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This Government remain committed to working with industry to monitor and enhance TB control measures. Most recently, the TB Eradication Group was set up in November 2008 to make recommendations to the Secretary of State for developing a plan for reducing bovine TB in all parts of England, including Devon, with the ultimate objective of moving towards eventual eradication.
	We are also actively pursuing the future use of vaccination of cattle and wildlife, through vaccine research, and the Badger Vaccine Deployment Project (BVDP), alongside our current control measures. Two of the areas for the BVDP are in Devon and the aim is that the vaccination of badgers will commence in summer 2010 and take place for at least five years in each area.

Bovine Tuberculosis: East of England

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms in  (a) Essex and  (b) the East of England were under bovine tuberculosis restrictions on the latest date for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA cannot provide the information in the format requested. DEFRA collects data on the number of herds under restriction because TB measures apply to a herd and not a farm.
	We can provide the latest data from Vetnet (1 June) which shows that the number of herds under bovine TB restrictions on 31 March 2009 was  (a) 19 herds in Essex, and  (b) 636 herds in the East of England region.
	 Note:
	Data downloaded from the Vetnet system is provisional and subject to change as more data becomes available.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many vaccinations of each badger will be required under the new Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Badgers only need to be vaccinated with BCG once to confer a protective effect on an individual badger. However, it is unnecessary to vaccinate every individual, although the more badgers vaccinated the better overall.
	We do not know how long the protection lasts but an annual vaccination campaign is consistent with published results that BCG protection lasts at least one year in animals. Safety data from the Badger Vaccine Study (BVS) on repeated annual vaccinations will be reported in the final report of the BVS which is expected in March 2010.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how long the temporary tag on badgers as part of the Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme will last.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The temporary marks on vaccinated badgers will last for at least several weeks, depending on weather conditions. This is so a marked badger re-trapped in any given trapping session can be released without further vaccination. There is no need for long-term marking as there is no detrimental effect if a badger is injected again in subsequent years.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the timetable is of the Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA has recently had a series of meetings with key regional representatives and local veterinary practices in each of the proposed deployment areas. The next step is speaking with farmers in these areas, followed by signing-up participants and training contractors, which will begin during the autumn.
	Sign-up will be in phases to allow capacity to be built up and early lessons to be implemented. Therefore, during 2010, vaccination will be carried out in a lead demonstration area, where contractors will be trained, and 20 per cent. (20 km(2)) of the other five areas. The project will be fully rolled out, in all the areas, by the third year (i.e. all areas will have been vaccinated by 2012). Once this initial phase has been completed vaccination across 100 per cent. of the areas will continue each year and each area will be vaccinated for at least five years.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what mechanisms will be used to assess the effectiveness of the Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme;
	(2)  what estimate has been made of the proportion of farmers and landowners needed to participate in the Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme for the results of the programme to be scientifically meaningful.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Badger Vaccine Deployment Project aims to increase farmer confidence in TB vaccines and develop practical know-how for vaccinating badgers, including how best to deploy vaccines in an area and developing an understanding of training needs and costs. To this end, we will be monitoring levels of take up among farmers and contractors, and training will be assessed and monitored throughout the project. We will also build up an understanding of the costs of injectable badger vaccination. This information will inform plans for future use of both injectable and oral badger vaccines for bovine TB. Possible further measures of success are currently being considered.
	The Badger Vaccine Deployment Project is not a scientific trial, but a practical project to develop know how for vaccinating badgers. The project will target cattle farming areas of up to 100km(2) (25,000 acres) in each of the six high incidence TB areas for five years vaccination. While the project will be unable to demonstrate a treatment effect of the vaccine in cattle herds, an exploratory analysis of routinely collected cattle disease data will be carried out at the end of the project and independent expert statistical advice has been taken to ensure the project design gives a good chance of detecting any changes in cattle TB trends that may be associated with vaccination. We expect landowner participation in the project to be at least 70 per cent. within the 300km(2) catchment areas, which will enable us to reach our 100km(2) target in each area. Social science research looking at changes in farmers' attitudes to vaccination and factors that influence farmer behaviour can provide meaningful results on a smaller scale. The project design has also been discussed and agreed with the TB Science Advisory Body, along with two of its subgroups dealing specifically with TB vaccines and economics and social science, key farming and veterinary stakeholders and the TB Eradication Group for England.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what steps will be taken to prevent unvaccinated badgers entering Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme areas;
	(2)  whether all badgers will be treated as part of the Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: All trapped badgers will be vaccinated. It is not necessary to trap and vaccinate every individual in a population or to prevent the entry of unvaccinated ones to control a disease. This is because as the proportion of immunised individuals increases, the risk to all individuals, whether vaccinated or not, decreases. The stable social structure of undisturbed badger populations, where there is little mixing of individuals between social groups, lends itself to the generation of this 'herd immunity' through vaccination.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost is of the Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The final business case for the badger vaccine deployment project is still being developed, and cost estimates will be subject to change to reflect, for example, the costs of contractors bidding for the work and the final costs for purchasing the vaccine. We do not propose to release cost estimates until these are more certain.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people will be employed on the Badger Vaccine Deployment Programme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We do not know at this stage exactly how many people will be employed on the Badger Vaccine Deployment Project. However, we do know that it takes 10 people (five teams of two) to vaccinate a 100 km(2) area in one trapping season. The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), which already has a number of trained staff, will vaccinate badgers in the training area and will train contractors who will work in the remaining five areas.

Dairy Farmers of Britain: Insolvency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward proposals to expedite single farm payments to farmers affected by the taking into receivership of Dairy Farmers of Britain.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Recently agreed EU legislation provides the possibility for member states to make 70 per cent. advance payments under the 2009 single payment scheme (SPS) from 16 October where full scheme controls have been completed.
	We have always said that we would consider the case for advance payments on the basis of an assessment by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on what consequential impacts would be, including on the timetable of full payments for all claimants. We have yet to take a final decision, but DEFRA have spoken to the chief executive on the issue and it is clear that there would be a real risk that making advances would affect the RPA's ability to match last year's performance in making nearly £1 billion of full SPS payments in December.
	Whatever the final decision reached on advances, the RPA will continue to address any cases of individual hardship as sympathetically as possible.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) attempts and  (b) successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each (i) database and (ii) ICT system run by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: It is not in the interests of the UK's national security for Departments to confirm information on the number of attempts, successful or otherwise, to gain unauthorised access to departmental systems or databases. Such disclosure could undermine the integrity and security of departmental systems and thereby expose them to potential threats.
	DEFRA complies with the mandatory requirements of the Security Policy Framework in relation to information security including managing the risk of unauthorised access to ICT systems.

Departmental Databases

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information databases his Department  (a) maintains and  (b) uses which do not contain personal information.

Dan Norris: DEFRA maintains and uses a wide range of databases reflecting its diverse policy and regulatory functions. A full list could be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department.
	However, DEFRA's Information Asset register does provide details of many of the databases managed by the Department. This register is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/opengov/defra/available/iar/index.htm

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what categories of personal information on members of the public will be held on each of his Department's and its agency's databases expected to become operational in the next five years; what estimate he has made of the likely number of individuals' details each such database will hold when fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: Information about the categories of personal information on members of the public that will be held on each of the Department's and its agency's databases expected to become operational in the next five years and estimates of the likely number of individual's details that each dataset will hold when fully operational can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Routine assurance of database developments during the business planning cycle ensures that any planned databases containing personal information are identified before development commences and referred to the departmental data protection team to ensure that they adhere to the Data Protection Act.
	Moreover, following the publication of the cross government data handling review in June 2008, staff establishing new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.

Departmental Work Experience

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many interns work in his Department; what terms of reference apply to their appointment; what remuneration they receive; and how long on average an intern appointment lasts.

Dan Norris: Five graduate internships commenced placements with DEFRA on 6 July 2009, three via the Cabinet Office Summer Development programme (ethnic minorities) and two from the summer placement scheme (disability). All interns are engaged on a paid basis at civil service EO level salaries.
	These internships consist of a minimum of 12 weeks' work placement, extendable as required.
	The type of work offered to interns will, for example, range from a time-limited project to a more varied programme of work. The aim of such internships is to help internees develop their levels of skill and practical experience, and to increase their employability.

Disease Control

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to encourage the veterinary profession to work more closely with the medical profession on matters relating to the transmission of diseases between humans and animals; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA are fully aware of the need for close collaboration between the veterinary and medical profession in preventing and controlling transmission of diseases between humans and animals. Officials continue to collaborate with their counterparts in the Department of Health, the Health Protection Agency and the devolved Administrations regular inter-departmental meetings are held to assess the risk from diseases, as well as from newly emerging conditions, which might have the potential for inter-species transmission. There is also strong collaboration at the local level where joint assessments and co-ordinated veterinary and medical investigations of disease outbreaks are made.

Domestic Appliances: Carbon Emissions

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the annual level of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from electrical appliances being left in standby mode.

Dan Norris: The most recent analysis of the energy consumption of equipment in households and commercial properties was undertaken by DEFRA's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) in 2006. This estimated that the level of carbon emissions resulting from all the appliances most commonly found in UK homes was at least 7.2 TWh equal to 2.1 per cent. of UK electricity consumption or 0.8 million tonnes of carbon. The MTP is in the process of updating this information for 2008.
	The report, 'Estimated UK Standby Electricity Consumption in 2006 (V2.0) (BNXS36)', can be found on the MTP website.

Domestic Waste

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the tonnage of  (a) aluminium,  (b) wood,  (c) paper,  (d) green waste,  (e) glass,  (f) steel and  (g) textiles in the municipal waste stream in each year since 1997; and how much of each he estimates was (i) recycled, (ii) landfilled and (iii) sent to energy from waste facilities (A) in total and (B) in each local authority area in each such year.

Dan Norris: DEFRA keeps tonnages of municipal waste sent for recycling in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08, broken down into material types. Data on waste sent to landfill or for energy recovery is not broken down into material types, but the totals are available. All this data are available at local authority level and will be placed in the Library shortly.
	Municipal waste management statistics back to 1995-96 are available at national level on DEFRA's website.
	 Source:
	WasteDataFlow and DEFRA's Municipal Waste Management Survey.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make an estimate of the unit cost to a local authority of the provision of wheeled refuse containers for the collection of household waste.

Dan Norris: It is not feasible to make an estimate of the unit cost to a local authority of the provision of wheelie bins. This will depend on a number of factors including which company the local authority procures the bins from and the number of bins ordered.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to Lord Taylor of Holbeach of 2 July 2009,  Official Report, House of Lords, column WA94, on waste management: refuse collection, what proportion of dwellings used wheeled refuse containers for the collection of residual waste in each year for which figures are available.

Dan Norris: The following table shows the percentage of dwellings in England that have been issued with wheeled refuse containers by local authorities for the collection of residual (black bag) waste from 2000-01 to 2007-08.
	Data for 2004-05 is unavailable. This is due to partial submission of data by local authorities.
	
		
			  Percentage of dwellings using wheeled refuse containers for residual waste 
			   Percentage 
			 2007-08 63.64 
			 2006-07 61.06 
			 2005-06 57.51 
			 2004-05 n/a 
			 2003-04 58.00 
			 2002-03 55.00 
			 2001-02 52.00 
			 2000-01 51.00 
			 n/a = Not available.  Source: WasteDataFlow and DEFRA's Municipal Waste Management Survey.

Environment Agency: Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Environment Agency spent on consultants in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Environment Agency delivers major investment programmes through flood risk and civil engineering work. Expenditure includes the feasibility, design and supervision of these projects which are developed through accessing specialist engineering companies.
	The following table shows total Environment Agency expenditure on consultants in each of the last five years. This expenditure includes regional and national civil engineering consultants, water management engineering consultants, environmental policy consultants and management consultants.
	
		
			  £ 
			   2004-05  20005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Regional civil engineering/environmental consultancy 29,083,263.68 25,391,089.61 27,890,749.09 21,012,252.52 27,757,651.67 
			 NCPMS civil engineering/environmental consultancy 42,162,089.61 36,131,701.10 35,326,920.35 27,134,018.64 41,946,590.04 
			 Water management engineering/environmental consultancy 17,240,988.37 17,019,970.91 17,932,634.73 17,011,410.63 18,944,069.07 
			 Environmental policy consultants 29,619,337.66 22,086,207.51 25,112,247.92 31,655,315.86 30,121,357.01 
			 Management consultants 5,228,346.70 6,006,599.05 4,174,035.10 3,413,657.41 3,306,945.63 
			 Total 123,334,026.02 106,635,568.18 110,436,587.19 100,226,655.06 122,076,613.42

EU Law

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the statutory obligations upon it provided for in legislation introduced as a consequence of obligations arising from EU legislation in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Dan Norris: It is very difficult to provide precise figures for the proportion of UK legislation that stems from the European Union.
	The administrative burdens measurement exercise carried out by the Government in 2006 put the proportion of administrative burdens stemming from the EU at approximately one third of the total administrative burden.
	The important thing is not the origins of a legislation, which could of course be a devolved administration or a local authority, as well as the Government or the EU, but the quality of the regulation. All regulations, irrespective of their origins, should comply with the principles of better regulation. Regulations should be risk based, proportionate and well designed, so as to achieve their objectives while also keeping costs to a minimum. The Government continue to work with European partners to ensure that EU regulations meet these standards.

Farmers: Loans

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on levels of bank lending to farmers; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No recent formal representations have been received on the subject of bank lending to farmers. At the end of March 2009, net lending to agriculture, forestry and hunting in the UK stood at just below £11 billion. This was more than £900 million higher than at the same point in 2008 and some £280 million above the level recorded at the end of 2008. There is strong evidence that the banking sector is continuing to lend to farm businesses with sound business cases but DEFRA will continue to monitor the situation.

Fisheries: Prosecutions

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions for breaches of fishing quota regulations have been brought in each sea fishery committee area in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Sea fisheries committees do not generally prosecute fishing quota offences. Therefore, DEFRA does not record data on prosecutions for breaches of fishing quota regulations by sea fishery committee area.

Flood Control: Finance

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the additional £25 million in capital funding for flood defences brought forward from 2010-11 to 2009-10 and 2008-09 on  (a) the number of homes receiving earlier flood protection and  (b) improvements to British Waterways network infrastructure; and how much of the funding has been spent in each month since it was announced.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In 2008-09, £5.1 million of funding for flood and coastal risk management was brought forward from 2009-10. In 2009-10, £20 million of funding was brought forward from 2010-11 as part of the fiscal stimulation package announced in the 2009 pre-Budget report to provide early protection for 27,000 homes.
	The Environment Agency forecasts full spend of its £349.4 million capital budget (not including funding for implementing the recommendations of the Pitt Review) for 2009-10. At the end of May 2009 it had spent £44 million.
	As part of the fiscal stimulation package, £5 million of funding for British Waterways was brought forward from 2010-11 to 2009-10 to be spent on infrastructure projects. This will take place as part of the major works programme which is concentrated during winter months when the waterways are not highly used.

Heating: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will estimate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions arising from the use of patio heaters in the UK in  (a) each year since 2000 and  (b) each of the next five years.

Dan Norris: DEFRA does not hold the specific estimates requested. The most recent data available that can be used to estimate the carbon emissions of outdoor patio heaters are from 2007.
	In spring 2007, the Government's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) produced a briefing note (BNDH18) intended to estimate the CO2 emissions as a result of the use of patio heaters. This note estimated that 'outdoor heaters' (both domestic and non-domestic) accounted for around 94.9 GWh of energy being consumed annually, equivalent to 22.2 ktCO2 (thousand tonnes of CO2).
	In October 2007, the MTP updated the assumptions in the original study to estimate CO2 emissions from patio heaters as a result of the smoking ban. The report estimated that the annual emissions from patio heaters as a result of the smoking ban would be between 96 and 282 kt CO2, depending on the type of heaters and how they were used.
	The MTP estimates are not derived from surveys or detailed research, and should not be interpreted as accurate data on energy consumption and carbon emissions. I am unable to give a prediction of future emissions as we have no way to estimate future sales of patio heaters.
	The MTP's Briefing Note 'BNDH18: Outdoor Heating for Comfort' is available at:
	www.mtprog.com

Landfill

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many landfill sites in each region are expected to close in each year until 2020; and what the combined area of those sites is.

Dan Norris: The Environment Agency does not require landfill operators to specify in what year they will close their site. This depends on the rate of infilling, among other factors. As such I am unable to provide a prediction of the number of sites that will close year on year in the period 2009-20.

Landfill

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many landfill sites there were in each region of England in each year since 1997; and what the combined area of the sites was in each of those years.

Dan Norris: The Environment Agency has published the number of permitted operational landfill sites for the period 2005 to 2007 on its website. Prior to 2005, data on the number of landfill sites was included in the Environment Agency's 'Strategic Waste Management Information for England and Wales'. The following table provides a summary of the published data.
	
		
			   1998-99  2002-03  2004-05  2005  2006  2007 
			  Region  WML  WML  WM L  PP C  WML  PPC  WML  PPC  PPC 
			 East of England - - 275 116 162 51 201 65 62 
			 East Midlands - - 275 127 131 50 208 55 65 
			 London - - 43 10 12 6 30 5 7 
			 North East - - 371 46 95 21 120 26 28 
			 North West - - 306 88 174 30 219 38 52 
			 South East - - 435 158 172 60 293 59 83 
			 South West - - 400 137 220 35 263 46 57 
			 Wales - 162 n/a 66 73 25 160 29 34 
			 West Midlands - - 269 60 131 24 164 30 43 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside - - 520 201' 245 38 307 43 70 
			 England and Wales 1,485 2,151 2,894 1,009 1,415 340 1,965 396 501 
			  Note: WML is an abbreviation for "Waste Management Licence" and PPC for "Pollution Prevention and Control". 
		
	
	In 1997 all landfill sites required a WML. From 2001 to 2007 all site operators had to apply for a PPC permit, replacing the WML.
	The number of permitted landfill sites for 2008 is currently being validated and should be published in the autumn of 2009.
	We do not hold information on the combined area of landfill sites.

Landfill

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much hazardous waste was sent to landfill sites in each region in each year since 1997.

Dan Norris: The following tables show the amount of hazardous waste sent to landfill in each year where accurate information is available.
	A new hazardous waste management system and database was introduced in July 2005 to coincide with the introduction of the new Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) regulations 2005. Changes in the way hazardous waste was classified and how data was collected caused inconstancies in data for 2005 and it was therefore not published.
	
		
			  Tonnes hazardous waste land filled by region 
			   East Midlands  East of England  London  North East  North West  South East 
			 1998-99 198,620.02 - 17,567.05 126,745.13 269,888.51 250,708.77 
			 2000 140,493.62 487,629.71 29,463.20 113,682.67 324,279.74 245,221.40 
			 2001 216,198.35 614,982.91 55,484.53 140,831.32 205,831.18 333,314.33 
			 2002 150,701.20 582,250.52 20,509.22 79,381.46 255,360.38 193,601.90 
			 2003 269,808.57 282,875.62 4,049.57 84,253.59 256,779.55 148,236.32 
			 2004 433,513.61 278,377.14 83.83 104,371.63 392,307.95 192,220.67 
			 2005 No data No data No data No data No data No data 
			 2006 125,811.23 65,719.19 40,826.66 195,970.24 101,404.25 54,709.71 
			 2007 154,949.14 68,877.55 50,071.87 132,187.43 116,644.22 62,800.07 
		
	
	
		
			   South West  Wales  West Midlands  Yorkshire and the Humber  Total 
			 1998-99 139,349.15 232,640.53 199,007.60 264,624.02 1,699,150.77 
			 2000 128,977.11 134,590.44 161,892.50 274,992.14 2,041,222.53 
			 2001 149,144.82 146,453.40 174,295.26 270,436.48 2,306,972.58 
			 2002 165,283.90 85,611.96 206,433.08 247,253.50 1,986,387.12 
			 2003 138,142.55 106,998.17 285,770.95 223,990.37 1,800,905.26 
			 2004 118,783.68 230,123.31 228,686.41 315,701.47 2,294,169.70 
			 2005 No data No data No data No data 0.00 
			 2006 136,283.01 3,009.38 42,561.23 107,604.78 873,899.69 
			 2007 133,247.32 662.85 54,074.70 75,706.63 849,221.79 
			  Source: Environment Agency 
		
	
	In 1997 all landfill sites required a waste management licence. From 2001 to 2007 all site operators had to apply for a pollution prevention and control permit, replacing the WML.
	The number of permitted landfill sites for 2008 is currently being validated and should be published in the autumn of 2009.
	We do not hold information on the combined area of landfill sites.

Landfill

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to which  (a) organisations and  (b) purposes revenue from fines due to breaches in landfill targets will be allocated.

Dan Norris: The Waste and Emissions Trading (WET) Act provides for a fine to be imposed on a waste disposal authority for each additional tonne of biodegradable municipal waste that it sends to landfill above the number of allowances the authority holds under the landfill allowance trading scheme in a particular scheme year.
	During the passage of the WET Act through Parliament, there was discussion about the destination of penalties. It was agreed that funds raised from penalties would be returned to all local authorities, including waste collection authorities, but would not be ring fenced to waste management options. It would therefore be for a local authority to decide for what purpose any returned funds were used.

Livestock: Exports

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) cattle,  (b) sheep,  (c) goats and  (d) poultry were exported in each of the last three years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Table 1 gives information on exports in cattle from Great Britain and is taken from the GB cattle tracing system. The system is updated on a daily basis and hence these figures can be subject to amendments.
	Table 2 gives the number of live sheep, goats and poultry recorded as exported from the UK in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as in HMRC official overseas trade statistics.
	Please note these figures are obtained using VAT records and will exclude some EU trade for businesses which are below the VAT threshold. As a result, actual trade levels may be higher than those given, particularly for trade with mainland Europe. As a result care should be taken not to read too much into the year to year changes shown.
	
		
			  Table 1: GB exports of live bovine, 2006-08 
			  Number 
			  Type  2006  2007  2008 
			 Live cattle and calves 89,567 85,487 51,809 
			  Note:  2008 data is subject to amendments.  Source: GB Cattle Tracing System 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2 : UK exports of live sheep, goats and poultry, 2006-08 
			  N umber 
			  Type  2006  2007  2008 
			 Live sheep and lambs 12,915 1,078 44,992 
			 Live goats 528 (1)- 435 
			 Live poultry 29,381,150 31,680,332 28,567,760 
			 (1) There were no recorded exports of live goats in 2007. Exports may still have occurred by traders operating below the VAT threshold and therefore will not have been declared in the HMRC official statistics.   Note:  2008 data is subject to amendments.   Source:  H M Revenue and Customs. Data prepared by Trade statistics, ESP, DEFRA.

Marine and Fisheries Agency: Location

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will  (a) undertake and  (b) publish an equality impact assessment of the relocation of Marine and Fisheries Agency staff out of London.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA officials are currently finalising an equality impact assessment (EqIA) on the relocation of the Marine and Fisheries Agency's HQ office out of London to Tyneside. This will incorporate the impact of the relocation on MFA staff based outside the London HQ office. A copy of the EqIA will be published when completed.

Marine Management Organisation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the cost to the public purse of the establishment of the headquarters of the Marine Management Organisation.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The indicative one-off establishment costs of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), as shown in the impact assessment accompanying the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, are £2.9 million.

Marine Management Organisation: Intellectual Property

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will assess the effects on the intellectual property rights of members of staff of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), given their change in status as a result of the creation of that organisation; and whether those staff are to be permitted to publish in their own name work produced for the MMO.

Huw Irranca-Davies: When vested, the MMO will, as any other employer, have the benefits of any work produced by its employees. Employees will not be able to publish works produced for the MMO without the organisation's permission.
	Former employees of the Marine Fisheries Agency, or another Government Department, will transfer to the MMO with their existing terms and conditions of service, which give the intellectual property rights to the employer. New MMO employees from elsewhere will be subject to similar restrictions under an MMO contract of employment.

Nature Conservation

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain in tackling invasive species arriving from countries which have no comparable strategies.

Huw Irranca-Davies: We have made no specific assessment of this. However one of the ongoing actions set out in the implementation plan for the Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain is to maintain contact with colleagues dealing with invasive non-native species policy issues in other European member states and encourage consistent representation of issues of concern to Great Britain and the United Kingdom. Alongside this, the UK is supporting the European Commission in developing its thinking on proposals for an effective EU Strategy on Invasive Alien Species.

Nitrogen Oxides

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at which locations in England levels of nitrogen oxide  (a) exceed 40 micro gm-3 nitrogen oxide annually and  (b) exceed 200 micro gm-3 nitrogen oxide hourly more than 18 times per year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Under EU legislation, the UK is required to assess ambient air for levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and to report to the European Commission on an annual basis. Detailed reports on the assessments are available from the air quality archive at:
	www.airquality.co.uk
	For the purpose of implementing EU legislation, the UK is divided up into 43 agglomeration zones (areas with a contiguous population of over 250,000 as specified by the air quality directives) and non-agglomeration zones. There are 28 agglomeration zones and 15 non-agglomeration zones.
	There are a number of locations within England where:
	(1) annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are in excess of 40 microgrammes/m(3); and/or
	(2) there are more than 18 occurrences of hourly mean NO2 >200 microgrammes/m(3) in a year.
	The locations where points 1 and/or 2 apply have been identified are in the following tables, with reference to both monitored (measured) and modelled (predicted) NO2 data.
	Monitoring data for 2008 are given in table 1. The modelling assessment for 2008 is not due to be completed until the end of the summer, so 2007 results are given in table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Nitrogen dioxide monitoring data, 2008-AURN sites in England 
			  Site name/location  Site type  Annual mean NO 2  (microgrammes/m( 3) )  Number hours NO 2 > 200 microgrammes/m( 3) 
			 Liverpool Queen's Drive Roadside 40 6 
			 London Westminster Urban background 40 1 
			 Cambridge Roadside Roadside 42 0 
			 Newcastle Cradlewell Roadside 42 0 
			 Manchester Piccadilly Urban centre 43 12 
			 London Hillingdon Suburban 51 1 
			 Oxford Centre Roadside Roadside 51 3 
			 London Bloomsbury Urban centre 55 0 
			 Bristol Old Market Roadside 62 5 
			 Tower Hamlets Roadside 63 0 
			 Bath Roadside Roadside 65 10 
			 London Cromwell Road 2 Roadside 67 1 
			 Bury Roadside Roadside 69 4 
			 Camden Kerbside Kerbside 76 72 
			 London Marylebone Road Kerbside 115 822 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Nitrogen dioxide modelled data-England, 2007 
			  Zone/agglomeration  Road length/km where annual mean NO 2   >40 microgrammes/m( 3)  (roadside locations)  Area/km( 2)  where annual mean NO 2   > 40 microgrammes/m( 3)  (urban background locations) 
			 Greater London Urban Area 1,600 162 
			 West Midlands Urban Area 385 5 
			 Greater Manchester Urban Area 426 - 
			 West Yorkshire Urban Area 162 - 
			 Tyneside 76 - 
			 Liverpool Urban Area 130 - 
			 Sheffield Urban Area 105 - 
			 Nottingham Urban Area 53 - 
			 Bristol Urban Area 42 - 
			 Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton 7 - 
			 Leicester Urban Area 52 - 
			 Portsmouth Urban Area 24 - 
			 Teesside Urban Area 18 - 
			 The Potteries 34 - 
			 Bournemouth Urban Area 11 - 
			 Reading/Wokingham Urban Area 19 - 
			 Coventry/Bedworth 17 - 
			 Kingston upon Hull 32 - 
			 Southampton Urban Area 23 1 
			 Birkenhead Urban Area 17 - 
			 Southend Urban Area 11 - 
			 Preston Urban Area 6 - 
			 Eastern 131 6 
			 South West 77 - 
			 South East 197 3 
			 East Midlands 104 - 
			 North West and Merseyside 279 - 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 260 - 
			 West Midlands 90 - 
			 North East 69 -

North Sea: Fishing Catches

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1590, on fishing catches, whether the Lithuanian and Polish vessels referred to were entitled to fish in North sea fishing grounds prior to their countries' accession to the European Union.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The catch statistics for Polish and Lithuanian landings from the North sea provided in my answer of 22 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1590, relate to landings in 2006. Both Poland and Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004 and therefore were members at that time. Access to North sea fish quota is determined by historic rights or else the countries in question would be required to swap in or purchase quota to access the fishery.

Oil: Pollution

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents of oil pollution have been reported in each enumeration area  (a) in each year since 1997 and  (b) in 2009 to date; and how many of these incidents have resulted in prosecutions.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table shows the number of reported incidents received by the Environment Agency since 1997. The Environment Agency's national incident recording system began to be used in 2001. It is not possible to access information broken down into each enumeration area prior to 2001 without incurring disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Number of oil pollution incidents (Category 1-4) 
			 1997 5,542 
			 1998 5,308 
			 1999 5,381 
			 2000 6,215 
			 2001 5,684 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of reported incidents received by each Environment Agency region since 2002. This includes incidents from category 1-4. Category 1 incidents are the most serious, category 2 are significant but less severe, category 3 are relatively minor and category 4 are unsubstantiated incidents.
	
		
			  Region  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009( 1) 
			 Anglian 761 706 687 591 518 502 432 195 
			 Midlands 1217 973 811 605 644 619 609 264 
			 North East 466 520 518 476 347 338 308 161 
			 North West 525 442 333 331 242 235 214 95 
			 Southern 552 539 452 389 361 313 292 125 
			 South West 644 576 613 644 618 540 451 288 
			 Thames 740 590 556 539 452 457 383 174 
			 EA Wales 256 272 285 344 305 287 233 145 
			 Total 5,161 4,618 4,255 3,919 3,487 3,291 2,922 1,447 
			 (1) January to June. 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of prosecutions from oil pollution incidents since 2001. This information has been provided by the Environment Agency's national enforcement database in tandem with the information above. On that basis information prior to 2001 is not available.
	In cases where a prosecution is not the most appropriate course of action, the alternatives of a caution or warning will be considered. A warning is a written notification that, in the Environment Agency's opinion, an offence has been committed. It will be recorded and may be referred to in subsequent proceedings.
	There is a lag between incident and prosecution, which may well be in excess of 12 months depending on the type of offence and its complexity.
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009( 1) 
			 Anglian 3 0 0 1 6 2 4 4 0 
			 Midlands 3 2 5 4 8 5 5 3 3 
			 North East 0 0 5 3 8 6 4 8 11 
			 North West 1 0 3 2 3 2 4 1 0 
			 South West 4 3 4 4 5 7 10 9 1 
			 Southern 1 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 2 
			 Thames 0 0 5 6 3 5 8 3 0 
			 Wales 0 1 0 2 0 3 4 0 2 
			 Total 12 6 22 22 34 32 41 28 19 
			 (1) To date.

Oil: Waste Disposal

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals his Department has for the disposal of residual waste from energy production.

Dan Norris: DEFRA has no plans affecting the disposal of ash or other residual waste from power stations. This is the responsibility of the operators of such facilities.

Origin Marking: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will commission research into consumer attitudes in respect of country of origin labelling for goods imported into the UK from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government are not planning to commission research into consumer attitudes in respect of labelling goods from the occupied Palestinian territories.

Pesticides

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he next plans to revise guidelines to farmers on the spraying of pesticides near schools and residences.

Dan Norris: The Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products includes advice to farmers on spraying pesticides near schools and residences.
	Two new pieces of European legislation governing the system for pesticides are likely to come into force in 2011; a Regulation on pesticide authorisations that is largely an updating of the existing European regime, and a directive on the sustainable use of pesticides that will establish a framework to promote best practice in the storage, use and disposal of pesticides.
	The Government plan to hold a public consultation this autumn on a range of options for the implementation of this new legislation. Once we have agreed our approach to national legislation and guidance, we will revise the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.

Pollution: Prosecutions

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents of diffuse pollution have been recorded in each year since 1997; and how many such incidents have resulted in  (a) prosecutions and  (b) fines for those convicted of such offences.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Environment Agency's national incident recording system (NIRS) records all pollution incidents reported to the Agency since 2001. The Environment Agency does not classify such incidents as point or diffuse pollution. An approximation of the number of "diffuse incidents" can be derived from NIRS by counting incidents that arose from an unregulated site where the cause was not identified. Data are available and provided on this basis for full calendar years from 2001 until 2009.
	For prosecution and fines there is often a time lag between the incident being reported and the completion of any enforcement action. Yearly figures in this table therefore may relate to incidents which occurred in the previous year or earlier. This is why some prosecutions have been prosecuted and reported in 2009.
	
		
			   Number of "Diffuse" incidents  Number of prosecutions  Fines (£) 
			 2001 3,233 9 28,850 
			 2002 4,518 7 13,700 
			 2003 3,866 7 19,225 
			 2004 3,506 3 5,000 
			 2005 3,360 8 28,033 
			 2006 3,023 2 1,350 
			 2007 2,686 3 6,000 
			 2008 2,379 10 24,250 
			 2009 (to date) 0 6 7,750

Recycling

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of waste collected in the City of York was recycled in each year since 2003-04; what funding his Department provided to City of York council to increase recycling rates in that period; and what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage local authorities to increase waste recycling rates.

Dan Norris: Recycling is strongly promoted by a range of Government measures in recognition of its environmental benefits. This includes the introduction of three national indicators within the local government performance framework to encourage local authorities to reduce waste, recycle more and send less household waste to landfill. This is in line with DEFRA's belief that local authorities are best placed to make decisions on the waste management strategy for their communities. 85 per cent. of authorities have negotiated at least one waste-related national indicator target with the Government Office in their region.
	DEFRA has provided the City of York council £359,838.71 in 2008-09 and £361,122.65 for 2009-10 as part of Waste Infrastructure Capital Grant (WICG). This funding is provided to help authorities get waste management facilities on the ground in time to help England meet landfill targets.
	The following table shows York city council's municipal recycling rates from 2003-04 to 2007-08. 2004-05 is not available due to data not being submitted.
	
		
			  York city council's municipal recycling rate 
			   Percentage 
			 2003-04 19.01 
			 2004-05 (1)- 
			 2005-06 25.71 
			 2006-07 39.36 
			 2007-08 42.28 
			 (1) Data not available  Source:  WasteDataFlow and DEFRA's Municipal Waste Survey

Reservoirs

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the capacity of reservoirs owned by the water industry in England was  (a) in 1989 and  (b) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Huw Irranca-Davies: A reservoir capacity figure for 1989 is unavailable.
	The total capacity of reservoirs owned by water companies in England which fall under the Reservoirs Act 1975 (large raised reservoirs with a capacity of 25,000 m(3) or more above natural ground level) was 1,855,244,628 m(3) on 14 July 2009.

River Thames: Pollution

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the likely effects of the recent raw sewage spillage in the Thames in the Mogden area on river usage and wildlife.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Environment Agency measured the chemical quality of the river using a series of water quality monitoring stations located at strategic points along the estuary. Readings taken indicated a significant decline in the oxygen saturation of the river.
	Environment Agency officers were deployed to assess the extent of the incident by monitoring the river in the upper reaches to record the impact on fish at low water. Approximately 200 dead fish, mostly flounder, were found around the Kew area. Other inspections did not identify notable amounts of dead fish.
	The monitoring network indicated the river returned to a near normal condition by the afternoon of 5 July.

Rivers: Pollution

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of significant non-water industrial discharges to rivers in each region was reviewed by the Environment Agency in each year since 1997.

Huw Irranca-Davies: This information is not readily available. It will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as possible.

Television: Energy

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of daily energy consumption resulting from the use of stand-by units on televisions.

Dan Norris: The Government's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) estimates that in 2008 the 66 million television sets in use in UK homes consumed an average of just over 600 Watt hours each per day. Of this an average of 30 watt hours (5 per cent.) was consumed while the television was in stand-by mode.
	MTP evidence indicates that the on average a new television consumes 2.5 watts while in stand-by. This will be reduced to one watt from January 2010 as a result of new EU legislation under the ecodesign for energy using products framework directive and falling further to 0.3 watts in 2012.

Thundersley Common

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will assess the effect on mammalian wildlife of the removal of trees from Thundersley Common.

Huw Irranca-Davies: While negotiating a higher level stewardship agreement with Castle Point borough council to support the council's heathland restoration work on Thundersley Great Common site of special scientific interest (SSSI), Natural England assessed the overall impact on the mammalian fauna as neutral or beneficial, for the following reasons:
	(1) The common is small and heavily used by the public, and so does not support a rich mammal fauna, though both bats and badgers do occur;
	(2) The restoration only affects part of the common and the wooded part of the common outside the SSSI will not be affected;
	(3) The result of the restoration will be a mosaic of open heath, scrub and trees which should be at least as favourable for mammal and bird species as the common is now. The mosaic will also support a range of more unusual heathland plants and animals and provide an open greenspace for the public to enjoy.
	Before issuing a felling licence for the removal of some trees, the Forestry Commission assessed the selected trees individually. The commission considered one to be of potential value for roosting bats so Castle Point borough council agreed that this tree should be left and an alternative one removed.

Thundersley Common

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with  (a) Essex County Council and  (b) Castle Point Borough Council in respect of Thundersley Common in the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: My Department has had no substantive discussion with either local authority about Thundersley Common in the last five years. However, Natural England (non-departmental public body sponsored by DEFRA) has had discussions with Castle Point borough council.
	Natural England's purpose is to ensure England's natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for current and future generations. An important part of Natural England's remit is the protection of sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)-the country's best sites for wildlife and geology.
	Castle Point borough council owns and manages Thundersley Common, which includes Thundersley Great Common SSSI. Within the last five years, discussions in respect of this SSSI between Natural England and the borough council have included several on-site and office meetings and regular discussions by phone, e-mail and letter. Natural England has offered consistent advice to the council on the conservation management of the site, aimed at restoring the heathland habitats for which the SSSI is notified. Since 2007, council staff have negotiated a higher level stewardship agreement with Natural England to support the council's restoration of the SSSI to favourable condition.
	Within the last five years, Natural England has not held discussions with Essex county council specifically on this SSSI, because the county council does not own or manage it.

Thundersley Common

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what public consultations have been held in respect of the removal of trees from Thundersley Common; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Natural England does not have any information on public consultations held in respect of the removal of trees from Thundersley Great Common site of special scientific interest (SSSI), or in respect of the other essential components of the heathland restoration work being undertaken by Castle Point borough council. These works have the full support of Natural England, in fulfilling the council's statutory duties to protect and enhance the special interest features for which this SSSI is notified.

Thundersley Common

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date responsibility for Thundersley Common was transferred to Natural England; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Thundersley Great Common (14.8 hectares) is owned and managed by Castle Point borough council. In 1987, 8.9 hectares of the common were notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 by English Nature (one of Natural England's predecessor bodies): the ownership remains with the borough council. Both Castle Point borough council and Natural England have statutory responsibilities to conserve and enhance the special interest features of the SSSI.

Thundersley Common

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many oak trees have been removed from Thundersley Common in the last five years; and for what reasons the trees were removed.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The notified special interest features of Thundersley Common Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are its dry heath, wet heath and acid grassland plant communities. It is one of the best remaining fragments of heathland in Essex.
	Natural England's records show that five oak trees, and one birch, have been removed from Thundersley Great Common SSSI since 2004. These trees were felled during the 2008-9 winter by Castle Point borough council with the assent and support of Natural England. The work was done as part of a higher level stewardship agreement to restore the special interest features of the SSSI-namely its rare heathland habitats-to favourable condition. Some tree removal is essential as part of this restoration work because many oaks became established on the heathland in the second half of the last century when the site was less actively managed. There are now over 100 trees on the northern half of the SSSI which are rapidly shading out the remaining patches of heathland vegetation. If these are all left to mature a large part of the SSSI will soon be dense woodland and the heathland will be lost.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what responses his Department has received from  (a) the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee,  (b) Wastematters,  (c) the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers,  (d) the Chartered Institute of Waste Management,  (e) the Association of Public Service Excellence,  (f) the County Surveyors Society Waste Panel and  (g) Keep Britain Tidy on consultations which his Department has conducted on waste incentive schemes in the last two years.

Dan Norris: The Department received written responses on consultations from these bodies detailed as follows:
	 Consultation on the Incentives for Recycling by Households, May 2007:
	 (a) the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee
	 (d) Chartered Institute of Waste Management
	 (e) Association of Public Service Excellence
	 (f) County Surveyors Society
	 Informal consultation on draft guidance, June 2008:
	 (a) the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee
	 (d) Chartered Institute of Waste Management
	 (f) County Surveyors Society
	 Formal consultation on statutory Good Recycling Service guidance, September 2008:
	 (e) Association of Public Service Excellence
	Responses were not received on any consultation from  (b) Wastematters,  (c) the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers or  (g) Keep Britain Tidy.

Waste Disposal: Hazardous Substances

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what waste products have been classified as  (a) inert and  (b) toxic waste in the last 18 months.

Dan Norris: The Environment Agency does not classify individual waste arisings. While it does collect data on all wastes received at sites that it regulates, this information describes the waste using the European waste catalogue codes and as such would not allow the Environment Agency to state which individual waste products have been classified as either inert or 'toxic' (a hazardous property that could make a waste hazardous).

Waste Disposal: Inspections

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many inspections were carried out at industrial and waste sites by staff of each Environment Agency office in each year since 1997.

Dan Norris: The following table shows the total number of inspections of industrial and waste sites carried out in each Environment Agency region in each year since 1997. Environment Agency records do not provide an office by office breakdown. Inspections include visits and audits for processes regulated under six regimes: Integrated Pollution Control, Pollution Prevention and Control, Waste management licensing, Environmental Permitting Regulation, Special (Hazardous) Waste, and Waste Producers.
	
		
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-00  00-01  01-02  02-03  03-04  04-05  05-06  06-07  07-08  08-09  Total 
			 Anglian 18,523 20,947 17,496 16,540 15,001 13,557 15,379 14,060 11,144 6,758 6,386 5,847 161,638 
			 Midlands 25,827 24,692 21,492 19,636 18,050 14,823 16,687 16,466 11,236 8,722 8,607 8,759 194,997 
			 North East 25,017 27,971 25,922 23,320 19,714 19,605 18,832 17,225 10,413 7,749 6,545 4,931 207,244 
			 North West 21,688 21,858 19,270 18,531 15,158 12,962 13,997 13,352 10,325 7,593 6,732 4,914 166,380 
			 Southern 11,965 13,488 12,568 12,632 10,130 8,134 8,911 8,109 6,189 4,480 4,546 3,255 104,407 
			 South West 15,958 16,734 14,104 13,283 10,837 10,352 11,282 10,752 8,316 5,677 4,618 3,559 125,472 
			 Thames 19,642 19,799 15,117 14,246 13,386 12,679 11,958 11,917 8,647 6,445 7,386 5,701 146,923 
			 EA Wales 8,835 9,790 9,009 7,957 7,445 6,893 8,285 7,201 4,435 4,056 3,923 3,178 81,007 
			 Total 147,455 155,279 134,978 126,145 109,721 99,005 105,331 99,082 70,706 51,480 48,743 40,144 1,188,069

Waste Disposal: Private Finance Initiative

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the credit crunch on schemes for waste disposal plants under the private finance initiative.

Dan Norris: DEFRA continually assesses the relevant finance and construction markets to maintain an up to date understanding of the effect that conditions in credit markets may have on the private finance initiative waste projects. This includes meeting with banks, contractors and waste companies as well as individual local authorities.
	Our findings show that while tightening credit conditions since 2008 have had an effect on the availability of finance, commercial lenders are maintaining strong interest in financing waste private finance initiative projects. We also continue to see good evidence of new entrant interest from contractors in recent bid lists.

Waste Management: Private Finance Initiative

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the waste industry on the effects on waste disposal plants operated under private finance initiatives of the economic downturn.

Dan Norris: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently attended the Futuresource conference with representatives of the waste industry, at which a number of issues affecting the waste industry were discussed.
	Commercial lenders are maintaining strong interest in financing waste private finance initiative projects and we continue to see good evidence of new interest from contractors in recent bid lists.
	The granting of PFI credits for waste projects continues, the most recent being awarded to a partnership between Coventry city council, Solihull metropolitan borough council and Warwickshire county council under their umbrella-title 'Project Transform' in June this year.

Water Charges

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the effect of universal water metering on  (a) the net income of the water industry and  (b) the rate of consumption of water by domestic consumers.

Huw Irranca-Davies: No estimate has been made of the effect of universal metering on the net income on the water industry.
	Research shows that, on average, the rate of consumption by household customers is reduced by about 10 per cent. when metered.

Water Charges

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition his Department uses of a permeable surface in relation to surface water drainage charges.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Government guidance to Ofwat does not define permeable surfaces. It is generally accepted that they include, for example, burial grounds, grass sports fields and school playing fields. These drain naturally rather than into public sewers. Permeable areas should not count towards the chargeable area under site area charging for surface water drainage.

Water Charges: Voluntary Organisations

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in which water company areas voluntary groups are affected by the new system of surface water charges; and what assessment has been made of the likelihood of such systems being taken up in other such areas.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Four of the 10 water and sewerage companies in England and Wales have switched to site area charging for surface water drainage: Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent Water, United Utilities and Yorkshire Water.
	While Ofwat is recommending that other companies switch to site area charging for surface water drainage, it is for companies to decide whether to make the switch and for Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator of the water industry, to approve charging schemes.

Water Supply

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the volume of water lost through leakage from  (a) company supply pipes and  (b) piping between the water company connection point and a householder's tap in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2008.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Water companies report annual leakage figures to Ofwat as part of their annual regulatory returns. Ofwat publishes leakage performance annually in the service and delivery report.
	Leakage performance for the water company distribution network excluding customer supply pipes, and for customer supply pipes only for the years 1996-97 and 2007-08 were as follows:
	
		
			   Performance (megalitres/day) 
			   1996-97  2007-08 
			 Water company leakage excluding customer supply pipes 3,274 2,468 
			 Customer supply pipe leakage 1,230 823

Water: Meters

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many water meters were installed by water supply companies in homes in  (a) north-west Cambridgeshire,  (b) Huntingdonshire,  (c) Peterborough and  (d) Cambridgeshire in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Ofwat, the economic regulator of the water and sewerage industry, holds information by water company area only.
	Tabled as follows are the figures showing how many water meters Anglian Water and Cambridge Water installed in each of the last five years. Anglian Water and Cambridge Water are the companies that supply the areas listed in the question.
	The Anglian Water figures also include Hartlepool Water (HPL) as Anglian Water took over Hartlepool Water in 1998 and they now report their figures together.
	
		
			  Total household meters 
			  Number 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Anglian and HPL 23,013 19,374 25,516 28,586 33,222 
			 Cambridge 1,428 1,180 1,466 1,381 1,432

Water: Meters

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many water meters were installed in homes in Castle Point by water supply companies in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Ofwat, the economic regulator of the water and sewerage industry, does not hold data on how many meters are installed in individual constituencies.
	The following figures show how many water meters Essex and Suffolk Water has installed in each of the last five years. Essex and Suffolk Water is the company that serves Castle Point.
	
		
			  Essex and Suffolk 
			   Total household meters 
			 2004-05 9,101 
			 2005-06 11,939 
			 2006-07 22,051 
			 2007-08 16,788 
			 2008-09 12,837

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

East of England Grand Committee

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what  (a) broadcasting and  (b) other facilities will be available at the venue for the meeting of the East of England Regional Grand Committee at Bedford on 8 September 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The broadcasting of Committees meeting away from Westminster is usually undertaken by local broadcasters themselves, if they wish to do so. The coverage is pooled and they provide copies to the parliamentary recording unit for archive purposes. Guidelines for broadcasters undertaking coverage is available to ensure that compliance with the rules of coverage is maintained. Audio coverage of the meeting will be supplied by Westminster Sound. This will be webcast live on the
	www.parliamentlive.tv
	and Parliament websites, and will be available for 12 months in the searchable audio-visual archive.
	Facilities for Members and for members of the public attending the meeting will be provided in the Borough hall, Bedford, by arrangement with Bedford borough council. I understand that the Clerks of the East of England Regional Grand Committee will be writing to members of the Committee shortly with information about the arrangements, and the hon. Member may wish to address any further enquiries to them.

Members: Allowances

Anthony Steen: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many editions of the Green Book have been issued since 2000; in which year each edition was published; how many copies of each edition were printed; what the cost was of publishing each edition; what consultation there was with hon. Members in respect of the changes made in the edition; by what processes such consultation were held; and which editions were distributed in hard copy to all hon. Members automatically.

Nick Harvey: Since 2000, revised editions of the Green Book were published as follows. Where known, information is included on the number of copies produced and the cost of production.
	
		
			   Copies  Cost (£) 
			 February 2001 n/a n/a 
			 April 2002 n/a n/a 
			 June 2003 2,000 13,135 
			 June 2003 updated December 2003 (1)- n/a 
			 June 2003 updated July 2004 (1)- n/a 
			 April 2005 3,000 3,745 
			 July 2006 3,000 n/a 
			 March 2009 3,000 7,290 
			 July 2009 2,000 1,936 
			 (1) Intranet only 
		
	
	All copies except the two intranet only editions shown were sent direct to Members.
	Since 2004 the Members Estimate Committee has been responsible for the Green Book and given authority for each edition. Since January 2009, responsibility for advising the MEC of changes to the Green Book has rested with the Members' Allowances Committee.
	In respect of the Green Book agreed by the House published in March 2009, this was prepared by the then Advisory Panel on Members' Allowances in consultation with independent advisers and other hon. Members. It was approved by the MEC and agreed by the House in January 2009 prior to publication.

Members: Allowances

Bob Neill: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission for what reasons the council tax banding of hon. Members' properties was redacted before publication of information relating to hon. Members' expenses.

Nick Harvey: In July 2008, by order, Parliament agreed an amendment to the FOIA to the effect that any information that relates to the residential address of a member of either House of Parliament fell outside of the scope of that Act.
	Taking account of this, editing of the claims-based allowances was done on the principle that the following information would be made available and all other information would be removed:
	Name of Member
	Allowance type
	Date of claim
	Value of claim
	Goods or services purchased
	Identity of supplier providing goods or services to offices (subject to certain rules).

Members: Offices

John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Commission will discuss with the appropriate authorities in the House of Lords the compilation of information on the number of  (a) offices occupied by and  (b) computers provided for members of each House in the Palace of Westminster.

Nick Harvey: No. Information on House of Lords accommodation and computers is a matter for that House.

Parliament: Internet

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission  (a) is taking and  (b) plans to take over the next two years to provide greater electronic access for the public to parliamentary material; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: There are a number of strands of work under way as part of the parliamentary Web and Intranet Programme that will provide greater electronic access for the public to parliamentary material. These include changes to the format of information on the website so that it conforms to accessible data standards and can be accessed and reused by the public, as well as improvements to the presentation to make the information more user friendly and an improved search engine that will enable website visitors to find the information they are looking for quickly and easily.

Portcullis House: Fire Alarms

Simon Hughes: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commissions how many times the fire alarm in Portcullis house has been activated  (a) for fire drill purposes,  (b) for testing,  (c) because of a fire or smoke,  (d) because of a defect in the system and  (e) for other reasons in (i) each year since 2005 and (ii) 2009 to date.

Nick Harvey: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Cause of evacuation alarm actuation  May 2005 to December 2007  January to December 2008  January to June 2009 
			 Fire 4 0 1 
			 Smoke 0 0 1 
			 Fire drills 3 1 1 
			 Alarm testing 0 0 1 
			 Working on alarm system 4 0 0 
			 System defect 11 1 0 
			 Other(1) 10 2 2 
			 Total 32 4 6 
			 (1) Includes operation of manual call points for no obvious reason, construction (hot) works and contractors and staff disturbing detection beams. 
		
	
	Fire alarm activation records for 2005 to 2007 are archived off site and it has not been possible to break down the figures for that period by year.

Standing Committees: Internet

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission is  (a) taking and  (b) plans to take over the next two years to make available on the Parliamentary website the transcript of Standing Committee debates held prior to 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: 421 volumes of Standing Committee debates, covering the period 1919 to 2004-05, have been digitised. The data will now go through a process of quality assurance with the aim of making them available online in January 2010. They will be published alongside the digitised  Hansard.

Trade Unions

Francis Maude: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 23 April 2009,  Official Report, column 841W, on trade unions, what steps the Commission takes to ensure that facilities given to trade unions are not used for political activity or political campaigning.

Nick Harvey: Political impartiality is a requirement for the majority of House of Commons employees. The staff handbook requires that staff seek permission from their manager before engaging in political activity and that if permission is granted, the activity must not be undertaken in circumstances where it could be reasonably be assumed that they were acting as a representative of the House of Commons. This restriction applies to employees who are accredited representatives or members of unions recognised by the House of Commons service when using facilities provided to them on the parliamentary estate.
	The House of Commons service does not directly monitor the use of facilities made available to employees who are accredited representatives or members of recognised unions. If evidence of misuse of facilities is presented, it will be investigated.

TRANSPORT

A127: Speed Limits

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many fines have been issued to motorists for exceeding the new speed limits on the A127 in each of the last six months; and how many of those fines resulted in prosecution.

Paul Clark: This information is not held by the Department for Transport. The speed limit on the A127 is enforced by average speed cameras. Since 1 April 2007 the deployment of safety cameras has been the responsibility of individual local partnerships. The number of fines issued and prosecutions will therefore be a matter for the Essex road safety partnership.

Airports: Noise

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the area was inside the  (a) 57dB LAeq daytime summer contour and  (b) 48dB LAeq nighttime contour for each major airport in England in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007, (iv) 2008 and (v) 2009; and what estimate he has made of the size of each such area if the planned expansion of (A) Heathrow and (B) Stansted takes place.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport produces annual 'daytime' aircraft noise contours (16 Hour 57dBA Leq) for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted-these airports have been designated for noise control purposes under section 80 and section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982. Elsewhere it is the responsibility of the airport operator to decide upon the timing and form of any contours.
	Information on noise contours around Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted for 2005 to 2007 is available on the Department's website:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/nec/
	The 2008 contours are expected to be published shortly.
	Information about future projections is available in ERCD 0705 'Revised Future Aircraft Noise Exposure Estimates for Heathrow Airport'-also available on the Department's website. Additionally ERCD 0308 'Revised Future Aircraft Noise Exposure Estimates for UK Airports'-published at the time of 'The Future of Air Transport' White Paper in 2003-contained future projections for Stansted.
	In terms of night time contours, the current night flying restrictions regime at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted set the following specific noise abatement objectives for each airport:
	At Heathrow, to limit the 6.5 hour 48 dBA Leq contour (the winter and summer seasons combined) to 55 sq km by 2011-12;
	At Stansted, to limit the 6.5 hour 48 dBA Leq contour (the winter and summer seasons combined) to 38 sq km by 2011-12.
	As regards other airports, the European Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC, (END) requires member states to produce strategic noise maps every five years for major airports (with 50,000 and above movements). The maps are required to represent annual average noise values and use of four different parameters daytime (7 am to 7 pm); evening (7 pm to 11 pm); night (11 pm to 7 am) as well as an estimated annual 24-hour period. The range of contours extend-in five dB steps-for 50 to 70 dBA. Airports produced noise maps for 2007 and these are available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' noise mapping website:
	http://services.defra.gov.uk/wps/portal/noise

Airports: South East

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what forecast he has made of the number of passengers using each airport in the south-east in 2030 on the basis of the most recent gross domestic product forecasts from HM Treasury.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport's latest forecasts of the number of passengers using each airport in the south-east in 2030 are given in table G3, page 135 of "UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts", published in January 2009. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/atf/co2forecasts09
	No update of these forecasts is currently available. The Department aims to publish updated forecasts when there is a policy need, as it did alongside the announcement of policy decisions on the future development of Heathrow airport.

Aviation

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport to how many airlines his Department has granted fifth freedoms in respect of a regional airport since October 2005.

Paul Clark: Since October 2005, the Department for Transport has issued operating permits to 267 different airlines allowing them to exercise fifth freedom rights from UK regional airports.

Aviation: Disabled

Rudi Vis: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what obligations apply to air carriers to make available to passengers copies of the rules and regulations which apply to them in respect of the carriage of disabled people and the provision of supplementary oxygen to passengers who require it in flight.

Paul Clark: Airlines are not obliged under the regulation to make available the rules and regulations as set out. However, many airlines do lay out their policies on carrying medical oxygen on their websites.
	The rules themselves are widely available. EU regulation 1107/2006 is published on the EU Commission website. Its obligations are explained in the Department for Transport code of practice, "Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility". The Department for Transport and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have also published a step by step guide called "Your rights to fly-what you need to know":
	http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/your-rights/rights-in-different-settings/air-travel/your-rights-to-fly-step-by-step-guide/
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/aviation shipping/yourrightstofly
	Free copies of these documents are available from the Department and the Equality and Human Rights Commission website. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

Aviation: Disabled

Rudi Vis: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what obligations apply to air carriers based in countries outside the EU in respect of the provision of mobility assistance to passengers on flights into the UK.

Paul Clark: Airlines based in countries outside the EU are governed by the laws of the state in which they are registered. Passengers needing assistance once they reach the UK should notify the airport where they will arrive 48 hours in advance of their requirements, either through their airline or travel agent. Passengers should always check before they buy a ticket whether the air carrier they choose to fly on offers them the service they want.

Bus Services: Concessions

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the number of pensioners who  (a) are entitled to and  (b) hold a concessionary bus pass in (i) Test Valley borough and (ii) the City of Southampton.

Sadiq Khan: During preparations for the introduction for concessionary travel, the Department for Transport used census data to estimate the number of older people eligible for a concessionary bus pass. The figure for Test Valley was 24,402 and for Southampton unitary authority was 40,145.
	The Department is not responsible for issuing passes and so does not maintain records of how many passes individual authorities have issued. The last information held by the Department was that as of April 2009 Southampton had issued approximately 37,000 new smartcard concessionary passes. Test Valley is part of the Hampshire Countywide scheme who had issued approximately 184,000 passes. This includes passes issued to disabled people as well as those aged 60 and over.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2009,  Official Report, column 1161W, on the Channel Tunnel railway line, whether the  (a) Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission and  (b) Office of Rail Regulation has powers to hear appeals in respect of Channel Tunnel access charges.

Chris Mole: A railway undertaking may appeal in relation to infrastructure charges to the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission under article 12.1 of the schedule to the Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) Order 2005 (SI No. 2005/3207, as amended).
	The Office of Rail Regulation has no powers to hear such appeals in respect of the Channel Tunnel, but may be called upon to assist the Intergovernmental Commission in dealing with them, under article 4A(1) of the same instrument.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2009,  Official Report, column 1161W, on the Channel Tunnel railway line, what assistance the Government plan to give new rail operators to obtain the necessary safety and access approvals to use the Channel Tunnel.

Chris Mole: The Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission has issued guidance to assist railway operators in making applications for part B safety certificates, which they issue in respect of the Channel Tunnel.
	In addition, the Intergovernmental Commission expects to consult shortly on the specific safety rules that apply to the transit of passenger trains through the Tunnel. After 15 years of operation it is necessary to consider whether the rules that were originally put in place remain valid and to ensure that they do not act as an unnecessary obstacle to the free movement of traffic, while at the same time ensuring that existing levels of safety are maintained.
	The Government believe that existing legislation do contain, and the new legislation covering Channel Tunnel access to infrastructure for international rail passenger services will contain, clearly specified requirements, so that new rail operators will not need assistance when making an application.

Cycling: Hampshire

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many qualified instructors of cycle safety training there were in  (a) Test Valley borough and  (b) Southampton in each of the last five years.

Sadiq Khan: We do not hold this information.
	There are over 3,000 national standard trainers in the country and over 170 organisations registered to deliver Bikeability training, the name under which the national standard is promoted in England.
	This includes 10 organisations operating in Hampshire. Four of these, including the city council operate in Southampton. We do not hold details of how many national standard trainers each training organisation employs.
	We have no information on the number of people who may deliver other forms of cycle training which does not meet the national standard in the Test Valley, Southampton or nationally.

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport on what date the Secretary of State last met Mr. Damian McBride in the course of his official duties.

Chris Mole: The Secretary of State for Transport has never met Mr. McBride in the course of his official duties.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport for what reasons his Department's new probation policy does not make provision for women to take maternity leave during the probation period.

Chris Mole: holding answer 16 July 2009
	The Department for Transport's (central Department) staff handbook contains employees' contractual entitlements to maternity leave. These entitlements are unaffected by the Department's new probationary policy, which applies only to the central Department and not its agencies. In practical terms, new employees are unlikely to be taking maternity leave during their probationary period. If, however, the situation did arise, the employee would be entitled to take maternity leave in accordance with the maternity leave provisions in the staff handbook. In such a case, the employee's probationary period would be frozen and recommenced upon the employee's return from maternity leave.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many  (a) attempts and  (b) successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each (i) database and (ii) ICT system run by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: It is not in the interests of the UK's national security for Departments to confirm information on the number of attempts, successful or otherwise, to gain unauthorised access to departmental systems or databases. Such disclosure could undermine the integrity and security of departmental systems and thereby expose them to potential threats.
	The Department for Transport complies with the mandatory requirements of the security policy framework in relation to information security including managing the risk of unauthorised access to ICT systems.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many  (a) photocopiers,  (b) scanning devices and  (c) fax machines, excluding multi-function devices, there are in his Department; how many there were in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The figures for the Department for Transport and its Agencies for photocopiers, scanning devices (SDs) and fax machines (FMs), excluding multi-function devices (MFDs), are given in the following table. The Department's policy is to gradually replace photocopiers and scanners with MFDs in accordance with the 'Greening Government ICT Strategy' published in July 2008:
	
		
			   2006  2007  2008  2009  Comments 
			 Department for Transport (central) n/a 25 copiers 25 copiers 25 copiers 2007 figures produced by a specific audit. 2008 and 2009 figures not readily available but estimated to be similar to 2007. 
			  - 42 SDs 42 SDs 42 SDs  
			  - 56 FMs 56 FMs (estimated) 56 FMs (estimated)  
			   
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency n/a 202 copiers 174 copiers 171 copiers All figures unavailable for 2006, and SD and FM figures for earlier three years unavailable. 
			  - - - 86 SDs  
			  - - - 353 FMs  
			   
			 Highways Agency n/a n/a n/a 0 copiers Figures for first three years unavailable. HA began phasing out standalone machines in 2005 and replacing with MFDs. 2009 figures are just a residue. 
			  - - - 2 SDs  
			  - - - 7 FMs  
			   
			 Driving Standards Agency 0 copiers 0 copiers 0 copiers 0 copiers All copiers are MFDs. 
			  12 SDs 12 SDs 13 SDs 13 SDs  
			  462 FMs 459 FMs 447 FMs 445 FMs  
			   
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 148 SDs 148 SDs 148 SDs 148 SDs No central record of copiers kept. SD and FM figures constant over last few years. 
			  205 FMs 205 FMs 205 FMs 205 FMs  
			   
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency n/a n/a n/a 12 SDs All copiers are MFDs. Scanning device figures are only available for 2009. Fax machine figures unavailable. 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 4 copiers 4 copiers 4 copiers 4 copiers Review due this year with a view to replacing with MFDs. 
			  5 SDs 6 SDs 7 SDs 8 SDs  
			  6 FMs 6 FMs 6 FMs 6 FMs  
			   
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 4 copiers 4 copiers 4 copiers 4 copiers  
			  3 SDs 3 SDs 3 SDs 3 SDs Have had the same equipment for several years. 
			  8 FMs 8 FMs 8 FMs 8 FMs

Departmental Procurement

Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what progress his Department has made in implementing the recommendations of the Glover report in its procurement processes.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport is working with the Office of Government Commerce on the "Access for All" programme which is the specific response to the Glover report. This programme is currently developing a detailed programme of work in response to each of the 12 key Glover recommendations.

First Great Western

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 14 July 2009,  Official Report, column 14WS, on the First Great Western franchise, how much of the £29 million funding for passenger benefits has been  (a) spent and  (b) allocated for expenditure; and what system will be used to monitor the performance of First Great Western in meeting its franchise agreement in the future.

Chris Mole: Benefits have been delivered to passengers since last year, but the relevant dates by which the £29 million must be spent have not yet been reached. The Department for Transport will seek written evidence of compliance with the spending obligations.

Galileo

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he expects the Galileo satellite navigation system to become fully functional.

Paul Clark: The European Commission envisages the deployment of the Galileo satellite constellation and the establishment of the ground-based infrastructure to run until 2013 and for initial operations to commence in that time frame. Operational capability will be confirmed when the certification of the system, and standard operational measures have been assured and the technical performance and stability of the system have met the mission and performance requirements. This is expected to take place during the exploitation phase of the programme starting from 2014.

Great North Eastern Railway: Connex

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of  (a) GNER and  (b) Connex surrendering their franchise.

Chris Mole: The only franchise that has failed is Connex South Eastern. The Strategic Rail Authority incurred costs of £3.8 million, over and above those recovered from Connex. The details can be found in the National Audit Office's report of December 2005, available on their website at:
	http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0506/the_south_eastern passenger_ra.aspx
	The former GNER franchise was not surrendered, but was converted to a management contract before being re-let. The costs incurred by the Department for Transport were covered from the franchisee.

Heathrow Airport

Susan Kramer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what mechanisms his Department has planned for the determination of planning applications in respect of the expansion of Heathrow airport in circumstances in which his Department's proposed special administration regime for major airports is in use.

Paul Clark: The preparation and timing of any planning application for a third runway and associated terminal facilities at Heathrow airport are a matter for the airport operator. Such a development would be likely to meet the 2008 Planning Act's threshold for a nationally significant airport infrastructure project. The planning application would therefore be subject to consideration by the new Infrastructure Planning Commission if received after March 2010 when the relevant threshold in the Planning Act is due to be commenced.
	As part of a recent consultation on proposals to reform the economic regulation of airports, the Department for Transport sought views on a package of proposed measures to strengthen the financial resilience of airports in order to protect consumers. We are currently considering responses to the consultation and will announce our decision in due course.

Helicopters

John Gummer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what legislative provisions govern the landing of helicopters on private land.

Paul Clark: A helicopter landing on private land must comply at all times with relevant aviation safety legislation, including the rules governing low flying set out in the rules of the air 2007.
	There are no planning rules in England specifically governing the landing of helicopters on private land. It is for local planning authorities to determine, in the first instance, whether planning permission would be required, taking into account the individual circumstances of each case.

Invalid Vehicles

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how responsibility for enforcement of Class 2/3 weight and speed restrictions for powered mobility products is exercised; and by whom.

Sadiq Khan: Class 2 and class 3 powered mobility scooters have to comply with specific speed and weight requirements which are set down in the Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988. There is currently no official body that routinely checks that class 2 and class 3 scooters conform to these requirements. Local enforcement bodies, including the police, do take an interest in their use and will take action when they are misused.
	In addition the Department for Health and Medical and Health Regulatory Authority work with British manufacturers to ensure that the safety and construction standards for mobility scooters are met.

National Express

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the joint letter of 1 May signed by Dr. Mike Mitchell of his Department and Ray O'Toole of National Express.

Chris Mole: This document is commercially confidential at the present time.

National Express East Coast

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps he is taking to prevent service disruption on the East Coast Main Line prior to the anticipated default by National Express.

Chris Mole: The Government have established a publicly owned company, which will take over the management of the franchise when National Express East Coast ceases to operate. The Department for Transport is working with National Express to ensure and orderly handover of operations.

National Express East Coast

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the statement of 1 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 424-26, on National Express east coast franchise, what assessment he has made of the effect on his Department's budget for rail Control Period Four, 2009-14, of changes to the National Express east coast franchise.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport has sufficient budget cover to fund any shortfall for the operation of services on the East Coast Main Line at the point that National Express East Coast ceases to operate under their current franchise agreement. The Government intend to re-let the franchise in due course; the requirement for public support thereafter will depend upon the terms of the winning bid awarded by a competitive process.

North London Railway Line

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport by what date his Department expects to be able to quantify the savings made under the North London Line Camden Road freight scheme announced last year.

Chris Mole: The cost and final specification of the scheme are being assessed by Network Rail which is taking the scheme through its project development process. The final cost will be determined by the scheme design of which Network Rail will have a preliminary indication in spring 2010.

Ports: Non-domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent representations his Department has received on the effect on firms located in ports of the application of retrospective business rates in the last six months.

Paul Clark: Since 1 January 2009 the Department for Transport has received several such representations from a cargo services business in Grimsby and I have answered a parliamentary question from the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Mr. Crabb), on 25 June 2009,  Official Report, column 1078W.

Railways: Finance

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department plans to spend on subsidy to train operators in 2009-10.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport maintains financial forecasts of anticipated subsidy payable to train operating companies. However, this information is commercially confidential and market sensitive.
	Historic subsidy payments are published in National Rail Trends which is available on the Office of Rail Regulation's website at:
	www.rail-reg.gov.uk
	Copies are also available in the Library of the House.

Railways: Finance

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of the privatisation of the rail network.

Chris Mole: The historic costs associated with the privatisation of the railway have been published in the annual reports of the various bodies involved in the process. The following table sets out the reported costs of those organisations between 1991-92 and 1996-97:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Department of Transport 93.2 
			 Office of Rail Passenger Franchising 93.5 
			 Office of Rail Regulation 27.3 
			 British Rail 332.2 
			 Railtrack 78.0 
			 Total 624.2

Railways: Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many rail franchises other than the East Coast Main Line are at red on his Department's financial risk scale.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport reviews the operational and financial performance of train operating companies on a regular basis, as part of its routine monitoring of the contractual arrangements between the Department and its franchise holders. That internal analysis is commercially confidential.

Railways: Franchises

Tom Harris: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport which existing rail franchises he expects to return a premium to his Department by the end of the franchise period.

Chris Mole: Based on existing contracted amounts it is anticipated that the following franchises will return a premium over the life of the contract:
	Chiltern
	First Great Western
	South West Trains
	East Midlands Trains
	First Capital Connect
	NX East Anglia
	Southern Trains.
	However, overall net premium payments are dependent on any revenue support payments.
	NX East Coast has to date paid premiums, and is contracted to do so over the remainder of the franchise.

Railways: Franchises

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department expects to receive in premiums from rail franchises in financial year 2009-10.

Chris Mole: holding answer 14 July 2009
	Contracted premiums currently receivable under franchise agreements in 2009-10 total £319 million.

Railways: North West

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent steps he has taken to improve rail services in the North West.

Chris Mole: The North West has benefited considerably from the £8.9 million upgrade of the west coast main line. Since December 2008, more and faster trains have run between London and Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, and major towns and cities between Crewe and Glasgow. Northern Rail services were also improved on the route between Bradford and Manchester and the Cumbrian coast line. Investment to improve reliability has resulted in the best levels of performance ever experienced by Northern Rail during the four-week period ending 30 May 2009.

Railways: Overcrowding

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2009,  Official Report, column 576W, on railways: overcrowding, when the passengers in excess of capacity measure will be replaced; what measure for monitoring passenger numbers was used in 2008; and what measure for monitoring passenger numbers will be used for 2009.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport will continue to monitor passenger numbers against capacity and does not plan to replace this measure.
	The Office for Rail Regulation publishes statistics on passengers in excess of capacity in National Rail Trends:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rolling-c1-railusage.pdf
	In 2008 a measure was published for train operating companies covering London and the south-east. The same measure will be updated in the National Rail Trends Yearbook when it becomes available on 30 July 2009.

Railways: Overcrowding

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2009,  Official Report, column 576W, on railways: overcrowding, what capacity benchmarks are used for each franchise let after 2004; and how operators are measured against those benchmarks.

Chris Mole: Franchises let since 2004 include a performance regime which requires, where appropriate, a franchisee to report actual provision of seating capacity against that scheduled. This regime is based on targets, which usually require the franchisee to progressively improve actual provision compared with planned provision, over the life of the franchise.
	The specific arrangements for each operator can viewed on the Department for Transport's website at the following address:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current/

Roads: Accidents

Mark Hunter: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will use the powers under section 180 (1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to provide for the establishment of investigations on the same basis as those conducted by air and rail accident investigation branches in order to determine the underlying causes of road traffic accidents.

Paul Clark: All fatal collisions on our roads are investigated in great detail by police accident investigators. We are working to improve the analysis of their data which will develop our understanding of the causes of these collisions and focus further measures to prevent deaths on the roads. This work is supplemented by detailed analysis of a sample of collisions by road safety researchers.
	We see no case to duplicate this effort by establishing a road accident investigation branch. However, we recently proposed the establishment of an independent expert panel to look at the pattern of fatal accidents on our roads and, on the basis of that analysis, recommend ways to reduce further the number of deaths on our roads.

Roads: Safety

Mark Hunter: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the Second Special Report from the Transport Committee, HC 422, Further Government Response to the Eleventh Report of the Transport Committee of Session 2007-08, whether his Department has decided upon the creation of an anonymised database of selected information from police investigations which is not available from the Stats 19 database.

Paul Clark: The consultation document "A Safer Way" included the option of creating an anonymised database of selected information (not available from the Stats 19) from police investigations into fatal collisions. The consultation closed 14 July and we are now starting to analyse the responses received. We are continuing to review the availability of data on collisions with a view to improving our understanding of the causes of collisions.

Rolling Stock

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what orders for rail carriages have been placed to date under his Department's provision for new carriages under Delivering a Sustainable Railway; when he expects the remainder of such orders to be placed; and when he expects delivery of carriages arising from such orders to  (a) commence and  (b) be completed.

Chris Mole: 543 vehicles have been ordered to date.
	Discussions are continuing with train operating companies for the additional vehicles and announcements on these orders will be made in due course.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport on what date he estimates that the  (a) first and  (b) last of the 202 new diesel train carriages will be delivered.

Chris Mole: We expect to make an announcement in due course.

Severn River Crossing

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what information he holds on the number of vehicles in category three which used the Severn Crossing in each of the last five years; and if he will make an estimate of the number of such vehicles registered in  (a) England,  (b) Wales,  (c) Northern Ireland,  (d) Scotland and  (e) other EU member states which used that crossing in each such year.

Sadiq Khan: The numbers of category 3 vehicles recorded travelling westbound on both Severn crossings in the last five years are recorded in the following table.
	
		
			   2008  2007  2006  2005  2004 
			 January 137,759 134,869 129,761 127,078 129,840 
			 February 136,686 129,896 126,091 128,835 128,570 
			 March 135,672 149,375 148,576 142,514 149,912 
			 April 142,564 138,498 132,031 142,484 138,525 
			 May 141,324 148,754 145,714 138,623 138,604 
			 June 137,414 145,641 147,376 145,306 146,776 
			 July 144,900 151,450 143,295 142,417 148,518 
			 August 129,931 146,676 143,308 140,714 139,502 
			 September 138,264 141,487 142,566 143,872 147,489 
			 October 142,618 154,104 148,308 143,056 144,250 
			 November 128,216 151,385 149,910 146,799 148,896 
			 December 119,414 126,566 126,594 127,921 132,820 
			 Total 1,634,762 1,718,701 1,683,530 1,669,619 1,693,702 
		
	
	The number of category 3 vehicles registered in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and other EU member states which use the crossings is not known. The operator of the crossings, Severn River Crossing Plc, does not collate such data.

Transport: Costs

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what research his Department has undertaken or evaluated on the external costs associated with  (a) holiday flights and  (b) private motoring, with particular reference to environmental costs.

Sadiq Khan: The "Aviation Emissions Cost Assessment 2008", which focuses on climate change impacts, was published in July 2008. This research does not attempt to identify the impacts of 'holiday flights' separately from other flights.
	A research report, "Surface Transport Costs and Charges" commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT), provides estimates of the external costs of car use and was published August 2001.
	A list of the current values for external costs used in transport appraisal is also available in DfT's online Transport Analysis Guidance 'Webtag':
	www.webtag.org.uk

Transport: Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport with reference to proposals contained in the Building Britain's Future document, Cm 7654, how much funding his Department proposes to provide for  (a) electrification of the railways,  (b) a North-South high-speed rail line,  (c) incentives for the take-up of low carbon buses and  (d) a National Cycle Plan in the next five years; and when he expects such funding to be made available.

Chris Mole: The work electrifying the railways will be taken forward by Network Rail. Their costs will be added to their Regulated Asset Base, and reimbursed through Track Access Charges and Network Grant determined, in the usual way, by as part of the regulatory review process run by the Office of Rail Regulation.
	"High Speed Two", the company set up by the Secretary of State for Transport to advise on the development of new high speed rail lines, has been asked to report by the end of the year on the planning, technological, capacity, value for money and funding issues involved. The Government will decide on future work programmes and funding mechanisms in the light of that advice.
	In the meantime, HS2 has been allocated a budget of some £7.1 million for the current year.
	We have announced a £30 million fund to support the purchase of new low carbon buses in England, available over the current financial year and next financial year. In addition, bus operators are now eligible to receive an extra payment through Bus Service Operators' Grant of 6p per kilometre for services operated by a low carbon bus.
	The forthcoming National Cycle Plan will set out the overall future strategy for cycling. Cycling England's existing budget is £60 million in each of 2009-10 and 2010-11. In addition, the Secretary of State announced in July that a further £5 million would be available to pay for cycle improvements at railway stations.
	Detailed decisions on funding for these areas in later years will be made when the Department's overall budget is allocated as part of normal Government-wide processes.

Transport: Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2009,  Official Report, column 375W, on transport: finance, what his most recent estimate is of the levels of spending on transport in the period up to 2017 in respect of the commitment to double spending on transport in the period 1997 to 2017 set out in the answer.

Chris Mole: "Comprehensive Spending Review 2007-Meeting the Aspirations of the British People" (Cm 7227) announced a long-term funding guideline for public spending by the Department for Transport, with £19.7 billion spending in 2017-18.

Transport: Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2009,  Official Report, column 375W, on transport: finance, what his most recent estimate is of the projected levels of long-term funding for his Department in order to provide for the 2.25 per cent. real growth in the Long-Term Funding Guideline to 2018-19 set out in the answer.

Chris Mole: The annual figures for the long-term funding guideline for transport announced in "Comprehensive Spending Review 2007-Meeting the Aspirations of the British People" (Cm 7227) for the years beyond the current spending review period, were as set out in the following table.
	
		
			   £ billion 
			 2011-12 14.7 
			 2012-13 15.4 
			 2013-14 16.2 
			 2014-15 17.0 
			 2015-16 17.8 
			 2016-17 18.7 
			 2017-18 19.7 
			 2018-19 20.7

Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the average cost per return journey by  (a) air,  (b) rail and  (c) car between (i) London and Edinburgh, (ii) London and Glasgow, (iii) London and Manchester, (iv) London and Aberdeen, (v) London and Newcastle, (vi) Birmingham and Edinburgh, (vii) Birmingham and Glasgow, (viii) Bristol and Edinburgh, (ix) Bristol and Glasgow, (x) Edinburgh and Manchester and (xi) London and Newquay;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who travelled from  (a) London to Edinburgh,  (b) London to Glasgow,  (c) London to Manchester,  (d) London to Aberdeen,  (e) London to Newcastle,  (f) Birmingham to Edinburgh,  (g) Birmingham to Glasgow,  (h) Bristol to Edinburgh,  (i) Bristol to Glasgow,  (j) Edinburgh to Manchester and  (k) London to Newquay at least once in the last year for which information is available; and what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of such journeys undertaken by (i) rail, (ii) air and (iii) car in that period.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport's only source of large-scale cross-modal travel data is the National Travel Survey (NTS). This can be used to provide broad estimates of the percentage modal share on major inter-region transport corridors, such as London to the West Midlands and London to the North-West, as shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Long distance journeys by mode, 2002-06 
			   Percentage 
			   Between London  and the North- West  Between London and the West Midlands 
			 Car/van 46 73 
			 Surface Rail/LT Underground 40 20 
			 Bus inc. private (hire) bus 5 6 
			 Air 8 0 
			 Other 1 1 
			 Total 100 100 
		
	
	However, the NTS sample size is insufficient to provide comparable data on the specific city-to-city routes listed in the question. Moreover, the NTS cannot provide robust estimates of total numbers of people travelling between specific cities in a given year, nor on the relative cost of different travel modes for a given journey. This information is therefore not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The calculation of average journey costs between pairs of cities is a complex area, requiring detailed knowledge of routes, the modes taken, the time of day of travel, etc. One flexible source for information is the Department's Transport Direct website at:
	www.transportdirect.info
	It gives an indicative cost for a car journey between any two British postcodes, and offers the public transport costs as alternatives where possible.

WALES

Departmental Accountancy

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish his Department's resource accounts for 2008-09.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office accounts are consolidated within the Ministry of Justice Resource Accounts, not published separately. The Ministry of Justice Resource Accounts are to be laid in Parliament today, 20 July 2009.

Welsh Language Board

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total annual cost of the Welsh Language Board has been in each year since it was established.

Peter Hain: Since devolution, the funding of the Welsh Language Board has been a matter for the National Assembly for Wales. The following grant in aid payments have been made to the Welsh Language Board since its creation in 1993:
	
		
			   £000 
			 1993-94 129 
			 1994-95 1,797 
			 1995-96 1,953 
			 1996-97 2,000 
			 1997-98 5,692 
			 1998-99 5,762 
			 1999-2000 5,929 
			 2000-01 6,330 
			 2001-02 7,127 
			 2002-03 6,828 
			 2003-04 11,584 
			 2004-05 12,329 
			 2005-06 12,677 
			 2006-07 13,441 
			 2007-08 13,454 
			 2008-09 13,534 
		
	
	The increase in funding in 1997-98 relates to the transfer of funding for a number of organisations from the then Welsh Office to the Board. The 2002-03 rise was due to additional funding to coincide with the publication of the Welsh Assembly Government's "laith Pawb" scheme.

SCOTLAND

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he last met Mr. Damian McBride in the course of his official duties.

Jim Murphy: I have not met with Damian McBride in the course of my official duties.

Departmental Databases

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information databases his Department  (a) maintain and  (b) uses which do not contain personal information.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office maintains and uses the following databases;
	1. Ministerial Correspondence database
	2. Freedom of Information database
	3. Secretary of State stakeholder database
	4. Parliamentary Question database
	5. HR database
	6. Invoices paid database
	7. Travel database
	All databases which we hold and which contain personal data adhere to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. In addition, following the publication of the cross government data handling review, new projects and programmes that would hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what categories of personal information on members of the public are contained on each database which contains such data managed by his Department and its agencies; when each category of information was first collected; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what databases managed by his Department and its agencies hold personal information on members of the public; on what date each such database became operational; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  which of the planned databases that will be managed by his Department or one of its agencies and which will hold personal information on members of the public are expected to become operational in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what categories of personal information on members of the public will be held on each of his Department's databases expected to become operational in the next five years; what estimate he has made of the likely number of individuals' details each such database will hold when fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office owns very few databases, there are three that contain information about members of the public. The details held are names and contact details, unless otherwise stated.
	1. Ministerial Correspondence database-includes the names of members of the public who asked the question.
	2. Freedom of Information database-includes the names of members of the public who asked the question.
	3. Secretary of State stakeholder database-includes some members of the public.
	There are no current plans to store any new data or categories of personal information on members of the public across the Scotland Office as a whole.
	All databases which we hold and which contain personal data adhere to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. In addition, following the publication of the cross government data handling review, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	All of our databases containing personal information are stored on secure networks and have limited access. The Scotland Office does not permit uncontrolled transfer of these data to unsecured media.

Departmental Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2009,  Official Report, column 1W, on departmental internet, what the  (a) names and (b) versions are of the web browsers used on the (i) desktop machines and (ii) laptop computers used by his Department's (A) permanent secretary, (B) chief information officer, (C) head of communications and (D) head of finance.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office shares an information technology system (SCOTS) with the Scottish Executive, which is responsible for the development, administration and maintenance of the system, including the provision of hardware and software. All users on the SCOTS system use Internet Explorer 6.

Departmental Manpower

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of employees in his Department are  (a) women and  (b) men; and what the average hourly pay is of (i) male and (ii) female employees.

Ann McKechin: Staffing information containing the gender breakdown of the Scotland Office are published in the Office's annual report; available in the House Library or on our website at:
	http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/scotlandoffice/10797.135.html
	As all staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice the Office reimburses those Departments for the costs involved. The Office does not maintain a record of the hourly pay of staff; such information is held by the parent Departments.

Departmental Publications

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2009, whether special advisers in his Department were involved in the drafting of the background paper Scotland and Oil.

Jim Murphy: Special advisers in the Scotland Office, work with the permanent civil service, and provide advice and assistance to Ministers across the range of their activities in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Fuels: Prices

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department's officials last met HM Treasury officials to discuss the proposals for a reduced fuel prices pilot scheme in island communities in Scotland.

Ann McKechin: Officials in the Scotland Office have discussions with HMT officials on a regular basis on a variety of issues.

Fuels: Prices

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what steps his Department has taken to identify suitable locations for the pilot scheme for reduced fuel prices in island communities in Scotland;
	(2)  what plans he has for a pilot scheme for reduced fuel prices in the Highlands and Islands; and when the scheme is planned to start.

Ann McKechin: The Government have no plans to introduce such a scheme. While the Government recognise the impact of higher fuel prices on those living in island communities in Scotland and in other rural areas across the UK, such prices are set by fuel producers and suppliers as a result of their commercial judgments, driven by market forces. OFT reports have repeatedly shown that markets are functioning properly in rural areas such as north-west Scotland and the Scottish islands, but any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour on the part of fuel sellers can of course be brought to their attention.
	The Secretary of State met with the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr. Reid) at his request to discuss these issues.

PRIME MINISTER

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  on what date he last met Mr Damian McBride in the course of his official duties;
	(2)  on what date each of his special advisers last met Mr Damian McBride in the course of their official duties.

Gordon Brown: I refer the right hon. Member to the answers I gave during Prime Minister's Questions to the hon. Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Scott) on 17 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 301-2 and the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (James Duddridge) on 24 June 2009,  Official Report, column 791.

Departmental E-mail

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birkenhead of 3 July 2009,  Official Report, column 499W, on email, at what address members of the public are able to email him; on what date the account was set up; how often the account is checked; and what account he takes of the emails he receives from members of the public in his formulation of policy.

Gordon Brown: The present e-mail system went live in April 2009 and is available on the No. 10 website at:
	https://email.number10.gov.uk/
	Emails are checked on a regular basis.

Departmental Reorganisation

Paul Holmes: To ask the Prime Minister what the cost has been of restructuring the machinery of Government since 2007.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 15 June 2009,  Official Report, column 51W.
	In addition, I have today placed in the Libraries of both Houses a paper by the Cabinet Office which sets out the functions of Departments following the creation of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Derek Draper

Francis Maude: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 7 May 2009,  Official Report, column 379W, on Chequers, for what reason Mr Derek Draper was invited to attend Chequers on 16 November 2008.

Gordon Brown: A list of guests who have received official hospitality at Chequers is published on an annual basis. For information for the financial year 2008-09 I refer the right hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made to the House on 16 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 70-73WS.

Derek Draper and Charlie Whelan

Francis Maude: To ask the Prime Minister when he last  (a) met and  (b) communicated with (i) Mr Derek Draper and (ii) Mr Charlie Whelan in the course of his official duties.

Gordon Brown: My officials and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects.

Eastern Europe

Greg Hands: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2009,  Official Report, column 499W, on Eastern Europe, on what occasions since June 2007 he has met  (a) President Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic,  (b) President Lech Kaczynski of Poland and  (c) President Dmitri Medvedev of the Russian Federation (i) in the UK, (ii) in each leader's home country and (iii) elsewhere.

Gordon Brown: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 3 July 2009,  Official Report, column 499W.

European Commission

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what criteria he plans to adopt in determining the Government's position on the selection of the next President of the European Commission;
	(2)  what criteria he plans to adopt in selecting the next UK candidate for the European Commission.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 June 2009,  Official Report, column 1190W.

Former Ministers: Pay

Nick Hurd: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether Lord Carter of Barnes  (a) has received or  (b) will receive payment on leaving Ministerial office;
	(2)  which former Ministers  (a) received and  (b) elected to forego payments following their departure from Ministerial office in June 2009.

Gordon Brown: Severance pay is payable in accordance with section 4 of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.

Iraq Committee of Inquiry

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 104-8W, on the Iraq Committee of Inquiry: finance, how he plans to update the House on progress made during the summer adjournment on the work being taken forward by the Cabinet Office on the Government's support to, and liaison with, the Chilcot inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 13 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 104-8W.

Iraq: Armed Conflict

Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister which of the matters referred to in his statement of 15 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 21-24 on Iraq he would classify as containing the  (a) costs and  (b) benefits to the UK of participation in the Iraq war and occupation.

Gordon Brown: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave her on 26 June 2009,  Official Report, column 1190W. In addition on costs, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Defence Secretary (Mr. Hutton) on 23 February 2009,  Official Report, column 33W.

Lord Carter

Francis Maude: To ask the Prime Minister whether Lord Carter received a severance payment on relinquishing his role as chief of strategy and principal adviser at 10 Downing Street.

Gordon Brown: No.

Lord Mandelson

Francis Maude: To ask the Prime Minister what responsibilities Lord Mandelson has as First Secretary of State.

Gordon Brown: I refer the right hon. Member to the machinery of government press notice issued by my Office. Copies are available in the Library of the House and are also available on the No. 10 website at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/Paqe19525

Members: Correspondence

Andrew Selous: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2009,  Official Report, column 784, when he plans to write to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire following the meeting on 24 June 2009 to set out the steps he is taking to address the issues raised.

Gordon Brown: I have arranged for my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State for Health (Mr. O'Brien) to reply to the hon. Member following our meeting.

Official Gifts

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish a list of gifts valued at over £140 which were purchased by his predecessor on leaving office; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 102WS.

Official Gifts

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister, when he plans to place in the Library a copy of the list of ministerial gifts received and valued over £140 for 2007-08.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 16 July 2009,  Official Report, column 66WS.

Official Residences

Bob Neill: To ask the Prime Minister whether the official residence in South Eaton Place has been sold.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for Borders and Immigration at the Home Office (Mr. Woolas) on 14 July 2009,  Official Report, column 310W.

Official Residences

Bob Neill: To ask the Prime Minister what use will be made of the Ministerial residence in Admiralty House following Lord Malloch-Brown's departure from the Government.

Gordon Brown: A decision on this will be made in due course.

Public Expenditure

Tony Baldry: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2009,  Official Report, column 294, what he meant by the phrase a zero per cent. rise in 2013-14.

Gordon Brown: Spending budgets and forecasts are set out in Budget 2009. I also refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my spokesman on 1 July 2009. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19909
	and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

OLYMPICS

Olympic Park

David Evennett: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent progress has been made on the construction of the Olympic park for the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: Construction of the Olympic park venues and infrastructure is progressing well.
	Building work is well under way on the five main park venues: the stadium, aquatics centre, velodrome, the athletes' village and the international broadcast centre/main press centre, and is ahead of schedule in some cases.
	39.2 per cent. of the Olympic Delivery Authority's programme is now complete.

Prostitution

Anthony Steen: To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on policy to minimise levels of prostitution associated with the number of tourists expected to attend the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: I have regular discussions with Home Office Ministers on the London 2012 safety and security programme. This is one of many issues that have and will continue to be discussed.
	We are currently seeing no evidence to suggest an increase in the sex industry or human trafficking in relation to the games. However, police services will continue to monitor and will respond to the situation should it change before or during the Olympics.

Cycling

Dr. Harris: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what progress has been made in constructing the facilities for cycling events at the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: Construction of the velodrome-designed to be the world's fastest track-commenced in March, is progressing as scheduled, and is on track to be completed in early 2011. The foundations of the venue are complete and work on the concrete slabs and ground to concourse columns has commenced.
	Construction of the BMX facilities, adjacent to the velodrome will commence in 2010.
	The more temporary facilities at Hadleigh farm for the mountain biking events and at Regents park for the finish of the road cycling events will be constructed nearer to 2012.

Housing

Mr. Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what steps are being taken to ensure that housing built for the London 2012 Olympics will be available for use by local people after the games.

Tessa Jowell: After the games the Olympic village, as planned from the outset, will be converted into a mix of private and social housing available for take-up by local people and others.
	Nearly 50 per cent. of the 2,818 homes will be provided as affordable by Triathlon Homes, a consortium which includes a Stratford-based registered landlord, East Thames Housing Group.
	The allocation of affordable homes will be agreed between Triathlon Homes and the London borough of Newham in the context of national housing policies and the London Mayor's housing strategy.

Legacy: Scotland

Mr. Hamilton: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent discussions she has had on the legacy for Scotland from the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: Construction of the Olympic Park venues and infrastructure is progressing well.
	Building work is well under way on the five main Park venues: the stadium, aquatics centre, velodrome, the athletes' village and the international broadcast centre/main press centre, and is ahead of schedule in some cases.
	39.2 per cent. of the Olympic Delivery Authority's programme is now complete.

Departmental Consultants

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Minister for the Olympics 
	(1)  how much  (a) the Olympic Delivery Authority and  (b) her Office spent on consultancy fees in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09;
	(2)  when she plans to answer Question 274955, tabled by the hon. Member for South-West Surrey on 7 May 2009, on consultancy fees.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 12 May 2009
	The procurement of consultancy services by both Government Olympic Executive (GOE) and Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is a planned response to the need to deliver the Government's commitments and guarantees to deliver the London 2012 games on time and within a budget of £9.325 billion.
	The consultants provide valuable short term support or key specialist skills and expertise not otherwise readily available.
	The use of consultants has enabled us to make excellent progress across the many facets of the Olympic programme and in particular in the construction of the Olympic venues and development of legacy planning. As well as rapid progress we have seen significant savings across the venues and infrastructure construction programme, whose anticipated final cost fell by £179 million from £7,413 million when we published the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games annual report in January 2009 to £7,234 million when we published our quarterly economic report in May 2009.
	As the International Olympic Committee recently recognised, inputs such as these are continuing to transform the lower Lea valley and provide a lasting legacy for the people of London and the UK.
	Spending by the Olympic Delivery Authority on consultancy fees reduced from £19.8 million (3.7 per cent. of total ODA spend) in 2007-08 to £16 million (1.2 per cent.) in 2008-09.
	This reduction reflects the shift from the planning, design and preparation phase of the programme, where consultancy costs are traditionally concentrated, to the development phase.
	Spending by the Government Olympic Executive (GOE) on consultancy was £0.4 million in 2007-08 and £0.3 million in 2008-09, 4.6 per cent. and 3.4 per cent. respectively of GOE's total budget.

Olympic Games 2012: Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much the Olympic Delivery Authority has spent on consultants in each year since its creation.

Tessa Jowell: The procurement of consultancy services by both Government Olympic Executive and Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is a planned response to the need to deliver the Government's commitments and guarantees to deliver the London 2012 games on time and within a budget of £9.325 billion.
	The consultants provide valuable short term support or key specialist skills and expertise not otherwise readily available.
	The use of consultants has enabled us to make excellent progress across the many facets of the Olympic programme and in particular in the construction of the Olympic venues and development of legacy planning. As well as rapid progress we have seen significant savings across the venues and infrastructure construction programme, whose anticipated final cost fell by £179 million from £7,413 million when we published the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games annual report in January 2009 to £7,234 million when we published our quarterly economic report in May 2009.
	As the IOC recently recognised, inputs such as these are continuing to transform the lower Lea valley and provide a lasting legacy for the people of London and the UK.
	Spending by the ODA on consultancy fees reduced from £19.8 million (3.7 per cent. of total ODA spend) in 2007-08 to £16 million (1.2 per cent.) in 2008-09.
	This reduction reflects the shift from the planning, design and preparation phase of the programme, where consultancy costs are traditionally concentrated, to the development phase.
	Spending by the ODA on consultancy fees in each completed financial year since its creation has been:
	
		
			   Consultancy fees (£ million) 
			 2005-06 6.1 
			 2006-07 13.7 
			 2007-08 19.8 
			 2008-09 16

NORTHERN IRELAND

Bomb Disposal

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the Army Bomb Disposal Squad has been deployed against  (a) hoax and  (b) real devices in each month of the last two years.

Paul Goggins: The following table shows the number of times that the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel (EOD) have been called out in respect of both hoax and real devices in each month over the last two years.
	
		
			   IED( 1) /Incendiary( 2) /Find( 3)  call outs  Hoax( 4) /False( 5)  call outs  Total call outs 
			  2007
			 July 16 10 26 
			 August 11 1 12 
			 September 26 5 31 
			 October 23 6 29 
			 November 15 2 17 
			 December 17 5 22 
			 
			  2008
			 January 6 15 21 
			 February 2 16 18 
			 March 7 16 23 
			 April 20 4 24 
			 May 12 17 29 
			 June 16 7 23 
			 July 17 6 23 
			 August 12 14 26 
			 September 19 11 30 
			 October 21 14 35 
			 November 30 25 55 
			 December 19 7 26 
			 
			  2009
			 January 19 4 23 
			 February 18 9 27 
			 March 28 51 79 
			 April 22 29 51 
			 May 24 11 35 
			 June 22 17 39 
			 (1) IED-The report of EOD action which results in the total neutralisation, disruption or dismantling of an Improvised Explosive Device.  (2) Incendiary-The report of the functioning of an IED which is primarily designed to cause damage by burning.  (3) Find-The report of explosives or bomb-making components, weapons, ammunition or tools found by the police or security forces and confirmed by the EOD operator after full investigation.  (4) Hoax-The report of an incident where, after full investigation, an object is discovered to be a simulated IED.  (5) False-A report made in good faith of an object believed to be an IED which, upon full investigation, proves to be innocuous.

Departmental Buildings

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many square metres of floor space there are at each of the premises occupied by his Department.

Shaun Woodward: The floor space occupied by the core Department is detailed in the following table. Buildings occupied by less than five individuals are not included.
	
		
			  Building  Area (m( 2) ) 
			 Annexe A Dundonald House 390 
			 Ballymena Chambers 2,358 
			 Belfast Chambers 6,761 
			 Castle Buildings 3,862 
			 Foyle Chambers 2,360 
			 Hillsborough Castle 124 
			 Hillview 812 
			 Knockview 1,640 
			 Lagan House 947 
			 Linum Chambers 2,710 
			 Lisburn 2,887 
			 Massey House 1,406 
			 Millbank 3,116 
			 Millennium House 2,174 
			 Omagh Chambers 2,733 
			 PSNI Headquarters 153 
			 Royal Courts of Justice Belfast 1,194 
			 Stormont House 500 
			 Stormont House Annexe 1,725 
			 Stormont House Bungalow 140 
			 Unit 2 Walled Garden 350 
			 Windsor House 2,469

Departmental Correspondence

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the  (a) target and  (b) average actual time taken to respond to correspondence was of (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: With the exception of the Compensation Agency, the target for responding to correspondence  (a) for my Department and agencies is 15 working days. The Compensation Agency works to a tighter target of 10 working days because of its closer direct contact with the general public.
	Data on the actual time taken to respond to individual correspondence is not held centrally and to collate the average time taken  (b), given the volumes of correspondence received, would therefore incur disproportionate costs.
	My Department and agencies do however report annually on percentage of correspondence replied to within target timeframes. The most recent period for which performance against these targets is available is the 2008 calendar year, as set out in annex F of the Northern Ireland Office's 2009 departmental report
	www.nio.gov.uk
	Performance for the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008 was as follows:
	
		
			   Number of letters received  Percentage replied to within target 
			 NIO core 467 87.4 
			 Northern Ireland Prison Service 2,204 99.6 
			 Forensic Science Northern Ireland 64 99 
			 Compensation Agency 61,209 98.7 
			 Youth Justice Agency 94 98.9

Departmental Databases

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information databases his Department  (a) maintain and  (b) uses which do not contain personal information.

Paul Goggins: The internal computer databases maintained by the Northern Ireland Office are listed as follows.
	Any personal information stored in these databases is subject to the Data Protection Act and to the Northern Ireland Office data protection policy. Also following the publication of the cross government data handling review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	 Databases containing personal information
	Mail Contact Addresses-Stats and Research;
	Juvenile Justice Policy Stats database;
	Mentally Disordered Offenders;
	Fireworks;
	CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking);
	Controlled Substances;
	Shotfirers;
	Prohibited Weapons;
	MSER (Register of Explosives Stores);
	Registered Premises;
	Security Section database;
	Firearm Appeals;
	KPPS (Key Persons Protection Scheme) Database (.net version);
	Security Vetting Database;
	Pass Photograph Database;
	Pass/Access control system;
	Visits Section VIP Database;
	Visits Section VVIP Database;
	CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking) Belfast (1);
	CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking) Belfast (2);
	CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking) London;
	Board of Visitors database;
	Neighbourhood Watch Registered Applications;
	Neighbourhood Watch ID Cards;
	Antisocial Behaviour Orders Database;
	Integra;
	Hospitality;
	Flight Desk;
	Hotel Bookings;
	Financial Services Travel System;
	Staff Welfare Database.
	 Databases not containing personal information
	COMPASS;
	CommVault;
	File Registry Internal Audit;
	Internal Audit Library;
	Druid97;
	SAP Solution Manager;
	CJPD File Registry Database.

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which databases managed by his Department and its agencies hold personal information on members of the public; on what date each such database become operational; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Details of the databases managed by the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies which hold personal information on members of the public and the date they became operational are listed in the following tables.
	Any personal information stored in these databases is subject to the Data Protection Act and to the Northern Ireland Office data protection policy. Also following the publication of the cross government data handling review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	
		
			  Database name  Date 
			 Mail Contact Addresses-Stats & Research 1996 
			 Juvenile Justice Policy Stats database 1996 
			 Mentally Disordered Offenders 2006 
			 Juvenile Justice database 2004 
			 Fireworks 1990 
			 CATS (Correspondence & Case Tracking) 1990 
			 Controlled Substances 1995 
			 Shotfirers 1994 
			 Prohibited Weapons 1997 
			 MSER (Register of Explosives Stores) 2006 
			 Registered Premises 1998 
			 Security Section database 2000 
			 Firearm Appeals 2001 
			 KPPS (Key Persons Protection Scheme) Database (.net version) 2004 
			 Security Vetting Database 2007 
			 Pass Photograph Database 2001 
			 Pass/ Access control system 2009 
			 Visits Section VIP Database 2000 
			 Visits Section VVJP Database 2004 
			 CATS (Correspondence & Case Tracking) Belfast (1) 1990 
			 CATS (Correspondence & Case Tracking) Belfast (2) 1990 
			 CATS (Correspondence & Case Tracking) London 1990 
			 Board of Visitors database 1990 
			 JJC Juvenile Justice database 2004 
			 Juvenile Justice Centre Incidents Database 2005 
			 Youth Conference Service Database 2004 
			 Youth Justice Agency Accounts System 2003 
			 Youth Justice Agency Prompt Payment Database 2005 
			 GOMISHQ and security 1995 
			 Dead File Registry 1993 
			 LSU Life Sentence Unit database 1993 
			 Prisoners' Tuckshop 1996 
			 Prisoners Private Cash 1996 
			 File Registry Central Records 1996 
			 Adjudication database 1999 
			 Inmates medical fitness tests 1999 
			 SASHA 1990 
			 Operational Management Unit 1995 
			 Litigation Database 1995 
			 PAFIS (Prison Accounting and Financial System) 1997 
			 DFITS (Departmental Finance IT system) 1997 
			 VIRBS (Visitor Inmate Recognition and Booking System) 1999 
			 SIPS (Secure Image Processing System) 2008 
			 SIPS Viewer 2008 
			 Alchemist 2000 
			 Skillbuilders 2008 
			 GOMIS 2 1995 
			 Oscar 2 Wages 1995 
			 Prisoner Release Victims Information Unit 2003 
			 PRISM 2004 
			 Neighbourhood Watch Registered Applications 2004 
			 Neighbourhood Watch ID Cards 2006 
			 Antisocial Behaviour Orders Database 2006 
			 Integra 1997 
			 Tarrif System 2002 
			 Altos 1989 
			 FSNI Case Management System 1982 
			 DNA Database 1996 
			 Asset 4000 Finance 2007 
			 Agresso Finance 2006

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what categories of personal information about members of the public are contained on each relevant database managed by his Department and its agencies; on what date each category of information began to be collected; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Details of the categories of personal information about members of the public held on databases managed by the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies and the date each category began to be collected are listed in the following tables.
	Any personal information stored in these databases is subject to the Data Protection Act and to the Northern Ireland Office data protection policy. Also, following the publication of the cross-Government data handling review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	
		
			  Database name  Categories of information  Date 
			 Mail Contact Addresses - Stats and Research Name, Address 1996 
			 Juvenile Justice Policy Stats database Name, Address, Criminal Offences 1996 
			 Mentally Disordered Offenders Name, Medical 2006 
			 Juvenile Justice database Contact Name, Contact Numbers, Offences 2004 
			 Fireworks Name, Address, Phone Numbers, Fireworks Stored, Licenses Granted 1990 
			 CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking) Name, Address, Case Tracking, Correspondence Tracking 1990 
			 Controlled Substances Name, Address, Explosives Stored, Licences Granted 1995 
			 Shotfirers Name, Address, Licences Granted 1994 
			 Prohibited Weapons Name, Address, Weapons Held 1997 
			 MSER (Register of Explosives Stores) Name, Address, DOB, Phone Numbers, Stored Explosives 2006 
			 Registered Premises Name, Address, DOB, Storage Use 1998 
			 Security Section database Name, DOB, Clearances, Security Breaches 2000 
			 Firearm Appeals Name, Address, DOB, Legal Representative, Weapon Types, Appeals Outcomes 2001 
			 KPPS (Key Persons Protection Scheme) Database (.net version) Name, Address, Security and Financial Information 2004 
			 Security Vetting Database Name, DOB, Clearances, Criminal Record 2007 
			 Pass Photograph Database Name, DOB, Photographs 2005 
			 Pass/Access control system Name, DOB, Photographs 2009 
			 Visits Section VIP Database Name, Address, DOB, Functions 2000 
			 Visits Section WJT Database Name, Address, Phone Numbers, Events 2004 
			 CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking) Belfast (1) Name, Address, Case Tracking, Correspondence Tracking 1990 
			 CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking) Belfast (2) Name, Address, Case Tracking, Correspondence Tracking 1990 
			 CATS (Correspondence and Case Tracking) London Name, Address, Case Tracking, Correspondence Tracking 1990 
			 Board of Visitors database Name, Address, DOB, Phone Numbers 1990 
			 JJC Juvenile Justice database Name, DOB, Offences, Justice Program Info 2004 
			 Juvenile Justice Centre Incidents Database Name, Address, DOB, Incident, Injuries, Section 75 data 2009 
			 Youth Conference Service Database Offender Name, Address, Gender, DOB, Criminal Record Offence Referral and Review. Victim Name, Classification of Victim, Relationship to Victim, Attendance Requirements 2004 
			 Youth Justice Agency Accounts System Company Name, Address, Bank Details, Payment Details 2003 
			 Youth Justice Agency Prompt Payment Database Company Name, Address, Payment Details 2005 
			 GOMISHQ and security Name, Address, DOB, Offences 1995 
			 Dead File Registry Name, Address, DOB, Offences 1993 
			 LSU Life Sentence Unit database Name, Address, DOB, Offences, Prison Contact Name, Phone Numbers 1993 
			 Prisoners' Tuckshop Name, Purchases, Costs 1996 
			 Prisoners Private Cash Name, Prison Number, DOB 1996 
			 File Registry Central Records Name, Address, DOB, Offences 1996 
			 Adjudication database Name, DOB, Adjudication Details, Adjudication Outcome 1999 
			 Inmates medical fitness tests Name, DOB, Test Results 1999 
			 SASHA Name, DOB, Physical Characteristics, Offences 1990 
			 Operational Management Unit Name, Address, DOB, Minister Cases, CEO Cases 1995 
			 Litigation Database Name, DOB, Legal Representation, Claim Details, Claim Outcome 1995 
			 PAFIS (Prison Accounting and Financial System) Name, Company Name, Address, Bank Account Details 1997 
			 DFITS (Departmental Finance IT system) Name, Company Name, Address, Bank Account Details 1997 
			 VERBS (Visitor Inmate Recognition and Booking System) Name, Address, DOB, Phone Number, Company, Photograph, Fingerprint, Prisoner ID, Custody Dates 1999 
			 SIPS (Secure Image Processing System) Name, DOB, Prisoner ID, Security Category, Fingerprint, Photograph, Physical Description, Custody Dates 2007 
			 SIPS Viewer Name, DOB, Prisoner ID, Security Category, Physical Description, Custody Dates 2008 
			 Alchemist Name, Prison Number, Medical Records 2000 
			 Skillbuilders Name, Prison Number, DOB 2008 
			 GOMIS 2 Name, Prison Number 1995 
			 Oscar 2 Wages Name, Prison Number 1995 
			 Prisoner Release Victims Information Unit Name, Prison Number, DOB 2003 
			 PRISM Name, Address, Phone Number 2005 
			 Neighbourhood Watch Registered Applications Co-ordinators Names 2004 
			 Neighbourhood Watch ID Cards Co-ordinators Names 2006 
			 Antisocial Behaviour Orders Database Names, DOBs of ASBO Holders 2006 
			 Integra Name/Company, Address, Bank Account Details 1997 
			 Tariff System Name, Address, DOB, NI Number, Incident Details, Injury Details, Case Status, Payments Record, Offender Details 2002 
			 Altos Name, Address, DOB, NI Number, Incident Details, Injury Details, Case Status, Payments Record, Offender Details 1989 
			 FSNI Case Management System Name, DOB, Incident Details 1982 
			 DNA Database Name, Gender, DOB, Ethnic Type, DNA Profile Analysis Information 1996 
			 Asset 4000 Finance Company, Address, Email Addresses, Phone Numbers, Payment Details 2006 
			 Agresso Finance Company, Address, Email Addresses, Phone Numbers, Payment Details 2006

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what categories of personal information on members of the public will be held on each database expected to become operational in the next five years and which will be managed by his Department or one of its agencies; what estimate he has made of the likely number of individuals' details each such database will hold when fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Details of the databases which will be managed by the Northern Ireland Office or its agencies and are expected to become operational in the next five years together with the categories of personal information held on members of the public and the estimated number of records are listed in the following table.
	Any personal data which will be stored in these databases will be subject to the Data Protection Act and to the Northern Ireland Office data protection policy. Also following the publication of the cross-Government data handling review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	
		
			  Database name  Categories of personal information  Estimated number of records 
			  2009   
			 Replacement Visitor to Inmate Recognition and Bookings System (VIRBS) Name, prison number, address, visitor number, DOB, phone/fax numbers 125,000 over five years 
			 Replacement Secure Image Processing System (SIPS) Name, prison number, address, visitor number, DOB, phone/fax numbers 125,000 over five years 
			 Juvenile Justice Centre Incidents Database Name, address, DOB, details of incident, physical restraints, single separations, self harm, sanctions imposed, injuries, Section 75 data Not known 
			
			  2010   
			 Youth Justice Agency Case Management System Name, address, gender, DOB, Section 75, risk assessment, criminal record, offence referral, medical notes, educational attainments, referral programme, review notes, incident reporting Currently 2,350 individuals referred to YJA per annum 
			
			  2011   
			 Nil - - 
			
			  2012   
			 Nil - - 
			
			  2013   
			 Nil - -

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what databases which will be managed by his Department or one of its agencies and which will contain personal information are  (a) under construction and  (b) expected to become operational in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Details of databases which will be managed by the Northern Ireland Office or one of its agencies which will contain personal information currently under construction or expected to become operational in each of the next five years are listed in the following table.
	Any personal data which will be stored in these databases will be subject to the Data Protection Act and to the Northern Ireland Office data protection policy. Also following the publication of the cross-Government data handling review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	
		
			  Database name  Under construction/Expected to go live 
			  2009  
			 Replacement Visitor to Inmate Recognition and Bookings System (VIRBS) The Northern Ireland Prison Service is currently looking for a replacement for the existing VIRBS system-it will go live in 2009 or 2010 depending on the chosen solution 
			 Replacement Secure Image Processing System (SIPS) The Northern Ireland Prison Service is currently looking for a replacement for the existing SIPS system-it will go live in 2009 or 2010 depending on the chosen solution 
			 Juvenile Justice Centre Incidents Database Expected to go live over the next three months 
			   
			  2010  
			 Youth Justice Agency Case Management System This project is at an early stage and will not go live before 2010 
			   
			  2011  
			 Nil - 
			   
			  2012  
			 Nil - 
			   
			  2013  
			 Nil -

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) photocopiers,  (b) scanning devices and  (c) fax machines, excluding multi-function devices, there are in his Department; how many there were in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: My Department currently has  (a) 82 photocopiers,  (b) 50 scanning devices, and  (c) 149 fax machines. Figures are not available for previous years.
	A pilot scheme is currently running aimed at increasing the use of multifunctional printing devices in line with the Department's Green IT strategy.

Departmental Internet

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the maintenance and development costs of his departmental website were in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

Shaun Woodward: A review of the Northern Ireland Office website was conducted in March 2007 to optimise the site and improve performance and download speed. Maintenance and development costs for 2006-07 were £15,677.44. For the period 2005-06 the costs were £10,293.50.

Departmental Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2009,  Official Report, column 39W, on departmental internet, what the  (a) names and  (b) versions are of the web browsers used on the (i) desktop machines and (ii) laptop computers used by his Department's (A) Permanent Secretary, (B) chief information officer, (C) head of communications and (D) head of finance;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 9 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 918-19W, on departmental internet, what the  (a) names and  (b) versions are of the web browsers used on the (i) desktop machines and (ii) laptop computers used by his Department's (A) Permanent Secretary, (B) chief information officer, (C) head of communications and (D) head of finance.

Paul Goggins: The information requested in relation to web browsers currently used by staff in the Northern Ireland Office is listed in the following table.
	
		
			(i) Desktop machines  (ii) Laptop computers 
			 (A) Permanent Secretary  (a) Internet Explorer  (a) Internet Explorer 
			(b) V6 (to be compatible with corporate applications)  (b) V6 and V7 
			 
			 (B) Chief Information Officer  (a) Internet Explorer  (a) Internet Explorer 
			(b) V6 (to be compatible with corporate applications  (b) V6 and V7 
			 
			 (C) Head of Communications  (a) Internet Explorer  (a) Internet Explorer 
			(b) V6 (to be compatible with corporate applications  (b)V6andV7 
			 
			 (D) Head of Finance  (a) Internet Explorer  (a) Internet Explorer 
			(b) V6 (to be compatible with corporate applications  (b)V6andV7

Departmental Manpower

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff are based at each of his Department's buildings.

Shaun Woodward: The number of staff based at each of my Department's buildings is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Buildings  Staff 
			 Annexe A, Dundonald House 13 
			 Ballymena Chambers 64 
			 Belfast Chambers/Laganside 177 
			 Castle Buildings 133 
			 Foyle Chambers 43 
			 Hillsborough Castle 24 
			 Hillview Buildings 28 
			 Knockview Buildings 88 
			 Lagan House 38 
			 Linum Chambers 133 
			 Lisburn Chambers 93 
			 Massey House 79 
			 Millbank 70 
			 Millenium House 34 
			 Omagh Chambers 59 
			 Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast 79 
			 Stormont House 29 
			 Stormont House Annexe 55 
			 Stormont House Bungalow 21 
			 Unit 2 Walled Garden 19 
			 Windsor House 55 
			 Other buildings occupied by less than five staff 5

Departmental Public Consultation

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations have been carried out by his Department since July 2007; and at what cost.  [Official Report, 9 September 2009, Vol. 496, c. 33-34MC.]

Shaun Woodward: Since July 2007 my Department, excluding Agencies and non-departmental public bodies, conducted the consultations set out in the following table. The table includes the cost where applicable.
	
		
			  Name of Consultation  Cost  (£ ) 
			 Anonymous Registration - Protecting voters at risk in Northern Ireland -February 2008 0 
			 Improving the Administration of Elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly-July 2008 0 
			 Consultation on proposed draft Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 - June 2008 2,235.83 
			 Proposed Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2009 2,681.22 
			 Proposed draft of Sexual Offences (NT) Order - November 2007 2,171.26 
			 Draft Guidance on Public Protection Arrangements Northern Ireland -May 2008 240.00 
			 Proposed draft Criminal Justice Order 2007 5,984.39 
			 Investigation Code of Practice issued under POCA 2002 0 
			 Search Code of Practice issued under POCA 2002 0 
			 Mentally Disorder Offenders Victim Information Scheme 0 
			 Fine default in NI 2,088.09 
			 Proposals for the reform of the law on murder, manslaughter and infanticide 2,126.77 
			 Equality Impact Assessment and Guideline Principles for the Test Purchase of Alcohol 0 
			 Pre Policy Consultation Special Measures: an evaluation and review 2009 70 
			 Alternatives to Prosecution: A Discussion Paper 109.30 
			 Draft Strategy for the Management of Women Offenders (inc consultation workshop) 1,545 
			 Government's Proposals for the Safety of Older People took place between 14 June and 30 November 2007 8,094.78 
			 Consultation on Community Safety in Northern Ireland took place between 27 October 2008 and 9 February 2009 28,771.62 
			 The Explosive Amendment Regulations (NI) 2008 356.54 
			 Manufacture and Storage of Explosives (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 92.52

Departmental Surveys

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by his Department on staff surveys in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2008; and which companies were contracted to carry out the surveys.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office did not carry out any staff surveys in either 2007 or 2008.

Departmental Work Experience

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many work placements his Department provided to  (a) school pupils,  (b) university students and  (c) graduates in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 May 2009,  Official Report, column 876W.

Festivals and Special Occasions

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on marking  (a) St Patrick's Day and  (b) the Twelfth in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The Department has not incurred any spend in the past five years on marking either St. Patrick's Day or the Twelfth.

Fuels: Smuggling

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland were convicted of offences relating to  (a) fuel smuggling and  (b) fuel laundering in the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: The most up to date details for oils fraud prosecutions were published in Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs autumn performance report 2008. In the period 2007-08 there were three convictions in Northern Ireland for hydrocarbon oil offences. The HMRC autumn performance report does not differentiate between types of hydrocarbon oils offences.

Northern Ireland Information Service: Manpower

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in his Department's Northern Ireland Information Service.

Shaun Woodward: There are 29.5 people employed in Northern Ireland Information Service (NIIS). NIIS conduct all press office work on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office including an in-house media monitoring service for Ministers, senior officials in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and a range of external stakeholders.
	Staff within Information Service also have responsibility for any premises related issues that concern Block B, Castle Buildings.

Northern Ireland Policing Board: Irish Language

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the public attended the most recent meeting of the Policing Board held in Irish.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which is independent of Government. The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the Chief Executive of the Policing Board.

Northern Ireland Policing Board: Irish Language

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been of holding meetings of the Policing Board in Irish.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which is independent of Government. The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the Chief Executive of the Policing Board.

Orange Order

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Orange Order.

Paul Goggins: Ministers regularly engage with a range of organisations including the Orange Order. The last meeting held with representatives of the order was in April 2009.

Organised Crime

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the cases referred to in the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) Report 2009 where assets were recovered, what the names were of the persons losing assets; what the alleged criminality was in each case; which OCTF agency led each action; what the monetary value of assets recovered was in each case; on what date action was started in the courts to recover the assets in each case; how each case was concluded; what the overall monetary value was of the assets originally frozen in each case; and how much the person concerned was permitted to retain in each case.

Paul Goggins: The information requested has to be collated from a number of OCTF partner agencies. I will therefore write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Organised Crime

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the monetary value of assets recovered from organised crime in Northern Ireland was in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the information requested.

Parades

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people who  (a) marched at,  (b) were spectators at and  (c) protested against the parades which took place in Northern Ireland on 12 July 2009.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not available.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the cost of policing the 12 July events in 2009;
	(2)  how many  (a) uninsured and  (b) untaxed vehicles were (i) involved in an accident and (ii) used in a crime in Northern Ireland in the last five years;
	(3)  how much the Police Service of Northern Ireland spent on offsetting its carbon dioxide emissions in each of the last five years;
	(4)  how many pieces of body armour the Police Service of Northern Ireland owns; and how many such pieces were  (a) purchased and  (b) reported (i) lost and (ii) stolen in each month of the last five years;
	(5)  what the average Police Service of Northern Ireland response time to an emergency call was in each of the policing districts in Northern Ireland in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(6)  how many armoured Land Rovers are  (a) in operation and  (b) in reserve with the Police Service of Northern Ireland;
	(7)  what percentage of emergency calls to the Police Service of Northern Ireland were centrally cleared before a response team was sent out in the last 12 months;
	(8)  how many Police Service of Northern Ireland firearms have been reported  (a) stolen and  (b) lost in each month of the last five years;
	(9)  how many tonnes of fertiliser the Police Service of Northern Ireland seized in the last 12 months;
	(10)  how many  (a) armoured and  (b) unarmoured vehicles the Police Service of Northern Ireland operates;
	(11)  for how many days Police Service of Northern Ireland  (a) helicopters and  (b) fixed-wing aircraft have been out of service for maintenance and repairs in the last 12 months;
	(12)  how many  (a) helicopters and  (b) fixed-wing aircraft the Police Service of Northern Ireland operates;
	(13)  how many times the Police Service of Northern Ireland has hired  (a) helicopters and  (b) aircraft in the last two years; and at what cost;
	(14)  what damage Police Service of Northern Ireland  (a) helicopters and  (b) fixed-wing aircraft have sustained from criminal activity in the last 12 months;
	(15)  what the cost of licensing a personal protection weapon is;
	(16)  how many personal protection weapon applications there were in each month of the last five years;
	(17)  for what average length of time personal protection weapons were held in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(18)  how many personal protection weapons were  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in each month of the last five years;
	(19)  how many personal protection weapons applications were refused in each month of the last five years;
	(20)  how many personal protection weapons were issued in each month of the last five years;
	(21)  how many officers are based in the Police Service of Northern Ireland headquarters;
	(22)  how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers are based in each of the policing districts in Northern Ireland;
	(23)  how many Police Service of Northern Ireland warrant cards have been reported stolen or missing in the last 12 months;
	(24)  how many members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland have received specialist training in  (a) serious public disorder and  (b) counter-terrorist activities;
	(25)  how many  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time Police Service of Northern Ireland officers there are of each rank;
	(26)  how many recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland since 2004 had previous policing experience;
	(27)  how many recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland of each  (a) religion and  (b) country of residence there were in each month of the last two years;
	(28)  what plans there are to introduce mounted police in Northern Ireland;
	(29)  what discussions he has had on proposals to introduce mounted police in Northern Ireland;
	(30)  which duties accounted for the highest proportion of overtime accrued by Police Service of Northern Ireland officers in the last 12 months;
	(31)  how much was spent on overtime for Police Service of Northern Ireland officers for  (a) counter-terrorism duties and  (b) other duties in each of the last five years;
	(32)  what percentage of the Police Service of Northern Ireland budget was spent on overtime in 2008-09;
	(33)  how many incidents of  (a) violence and  (b) other crime were reported against ambulance personnel whilst on duty in Northern Ireland in each month of the last five years;
	(34)  how many incidents of  (a) violent and  (b) other crime were reported against fire service personnel whilst on duty in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years;
	(35)  how many officers recruited to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months can speak  (a) Irish and  (b) Ulster Scots;
	(36)  how much the Police Service of Northern Ireland spent on translating documents into  (a) Irish and  (b) Ulster Scots in the last 12 months;
	(37)  how many people are employed in the personal protection weapon licensing department;
	(38)  what the average  (a) length of time and  (b) cost was for processing a personal protection weapon application in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(39)  how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have been sent out alone on the beat in the last 12 months;
	(40)  how many new recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland since 2004 have had criminal convictions of each type.

Paul Goggins: These are operational matters for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and copies of his letters will be placed in the Library of the House.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Aircraft

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are in place for the Army and the RAF to provide aerial support to the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and how many times in the last two years such support has been provided.

Paul Goggins: Military support is available to the Police Service of Northern Ireland under the Military Assistance to the Civil Power arrangements.
	The number of times that the support has been requested in the last two years is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman, and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Reserve Forces

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pieces of correspondence he has received in the last 12 months  (a) in favour of and  (b) against maintaining the level of the police full-time reserve.

Paul Goggins: As the information requested is not held in the format requested, to answer this question would incur disproportionate costs.

Political Directorate: Manpower

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed in his Department's political directorate at the latest date for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: On 1 July 2009 there were 124 people employed in the political directorate of the Northern Ireland Office.
	The political directorate provides parliamentary and private office support to Ministers as well as policy support for the NI political process and other issues including elections, human rights and public inquiries. In preparation for the completion of devolution, the directorate, which will form the core of the future NIO, has also taken management responsibility for relevant corporate services.

Public Opinion

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on  (a) opinion polling,  (b) focus groups and  (c) other forms of market research in each of the last five years; what surveys were commissioned; and what the purpose was of each.

Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 27 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 782-84W.

Security Guards: Licensing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times companies have been notified of the refusal of an application they have made for a security licence in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The numbers of companies notified of the refusal of a licence are as follows:
	
		
			   Number of licences refused 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 0 
			 2006 0 
			 2007 0 
			 2008 5

Security Guards: Licensing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many security companies have been licensed in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The number of companies licensed are as follows:
	
		
			   Number of companies licensed 
			 2004 92 
			 2005 101 
			 2006 95 
			 2007 115 
			 2008 132

Security Guards: Licensing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new security staff notified to his Department under the provisions of paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000 failed vetting; and for what reason in each case.

Paul Goggins: There were no new security staff notified under the provisions of paragraph 13(1) of schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000 that failed vetting.
	The Terrorism Act 2000 provisions fell in 2007 and were replaced by interim arrangements as set out in schedule 6 to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.

Security Guards: Licensing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many changes in security staff have been notified to his Department by private security companies in Northern Ireland as required under paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000 in each of the last five years; what arrangements are in place for vetting those staff; how many changed staff were vetted; and on average how long each vetting took.

Paul Goggins: The Terrorism Act 2000 provisions fell in 2007 and were replaced by interim arrangements as set out in schedule 6 to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. The information requested regarding changes to security staff is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
	Under the Terrorism Act 2000 arrangements, the Secretary of State took into account a range of information from differing sources to determine if a company should be issued with a security licence. It was not the practice to vet individual security staff under these arrangements.

Security Guards: Licensing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many companies are licensed as private security companies in Northern Ireland under the provisions of paragraph 6 of schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000; and how many individuals are recorded as employed in those companies.

Paul Goggins: There are no companies licensed as private security companies in Northern Ireland under the provisions of paragraph 6 of schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000.
	The Terrorism Act 2000 provisions fell in 2007 and were replaced by interim arrangements as set out in schedule 6 to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.

Swine Flu: Prisoners

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  whether any cases of swine influenza have been diagnosed in the Northern Ireland prison population;
	(2)  what contingency arrangements are in place to protect the health of staff in prisons in Northern Ireland in the event of cases of swine influenza among prisoners.

Paul Goggins: There have been no cases of swine influenza reported among prisoners or prison staff in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) is working in close partnership with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, the Public Health Agency and other health service colleagues to prepare for a potential outbreak within the prison population.
	Pandemic flu contingency plans have been developed and NIPS has a range of measures in place. The key objectives will be to minimise onward transmission of infection and maximise appropriate healthcare interventions.
	Advice on infection control is being kept up to date throughout the prison estate and guidance for staff and prisoners has been issued. Infection control measures, including hand gel dispensers and enhanced cleaning regimes, are in place. All three NIPS establishments have been supplied with stocks of personal protection equipment (PPE) for both healthcare and operational staff, and training for staff with regard to PPE is underway. Stocks of antivirals have been issued to each establishment, as well as additional medications for managing the symptoms of swine flu, such as paracetamol, antibiotics and respiratory drugs.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent steps he has taken to ensure the safety of Northern Ireland politicians from threats to their personal safety from  (a) dissident republicans and  (b) loyalist groups.

Paul Goggins: Both the Chief Constable and I take seriously the security of all those in Northern Ireland considered to be at risk. In accordance with the state's article 2 obligations, protection is provided commensurate with the threat. I regularly discuss changes to the threat profile with my security advisers.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of punishment shootings.

Paul Goggins: While the most recent Independent Monitoring Commission report confirms that the number of shooting casualties is down on the preceding six months period, my Department will continue to work with the PSNI and other agencies in an effort to reduce the level of such criminality.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland were convicted of offences relating to punishment shootings in the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: The information is not available in the format requested. Conviction data are collated by offence, but there are no offences provided for by legislation that relate specifically to paramilitary-style shootings.
	It is possible, however, to provide information on the number of casualties resulting from paramilitary-style shootings. In 2008-09, there were 20 such casualties, two of which were attributed to loyalists and 18 to republicans.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what steps are being taken to ensure the security and safety of community halls in Northern Ireland;
	(2)  how many attacks involving  (a) petrol bombs,  (b) blast bombs,  (c) paint bombs and  (d) pipe bombs there were in Northern Ireland in each month of the last five years;
	(3)  how many  (a) petrol,  (b) pipe,  (c) blast and  (d) paint bombs were recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of last 12 months;
	(4)  how many members of dissident republican groups have been arrested in the last two years;
	(5)  how many people have been arrested for offences in connection with the activities of loyalist paramilitary groups in the last five years;
	(6)  how many people arrested for offences in connection with the activities of  (a) dissident republican groups and  (b) loyalist paramilitaries in the last 12 months had (i) a gun licence and (ii) licensed weapons at the time of arrest;
	(7)  how many legally-owned weapons have been confiscated in connection with  (a) dissident republican and  (b) loyalist paramilitary activities in the last 12 months;
	(8)  how many vehicles have been hijacked by  (a) dissident republicans and  (b) loyalist paramilitaries in each of the last 12 months;
	(9)  how many  (a) attempted,  (b) threatened and  (c) completed attacks there have been by dissident republicans on police stations in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
	(10)  how many  (a) attempted,  (b) threatened and  (c) completed attacks there have been by dissident republicans on schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
	(11)  how many  (a) attempted,  (b) threatened and  (c) actual attacks there have been by dissident republicans on army bases in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
	(12)  how many barrack buster mortars have been recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last five years;
	(13)  how many attacks by dissident republicans have involved barrack buster mortars in the last five years;
	(14)  how many video cameras have been seized by the Police Service of Northern Ireland from dissident republicans in the last 12 months;
	(15)  how many times  (a) the Army and  (b) the RAF have been asked to provide assistance to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months;
	(16)  how many police vehicles in Northern Ireland have been  (a) damaged and  (b) taken out of service due to criminal acts in each month of the last five years; and what the cost to the public purse has been;
	(17)  how many death threats were issued to former members of the  (a) Police Service of Northern Ireland,  (b) Royal Ulster Constabulary and  (c) Ulster Defence Regiment by (i) dissident republicans and (ii) loyalist paramilitaries in each month of the last four years;
	(18)  what damage has been sustained by Land Rovers used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland whilst on patrol in Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary activity in each of the last 12 months;
	(19)  what damage has been sustained by soft top vehicles used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland whilst on patrol in Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary activity in each of the last 12 months;
	(20)  how many threats have been issued by  (a) dissident republicans and  (b) loyalist paramilitaries against off-duty members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months;
	(21)  what recorded attempts have been made by  (a) dissident republicans and  (b) loyalist paramilitary groups to acquire weapons and munitions using legitimate gun licence holders in the last 12 months;
	(22)  how many threats have been issued by  (a) dissident republicans and  (b) loyalist paramilitary groups against named individuals (i) in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and (ii) not in the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months;
	(23)  how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have been injured by paramilitary activity whilst on duty in each month of the last two years;
	(24)  how many times Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have come under  (a) attack and  (b) attempted attack from an explosive device whilst (i) on duty and (ii) off duty in the last 12 months;
	(25)  how many times in the last 12 months Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have come under gun fire whilst  (a) on duty and  (b) off duty;
	(26)  what percentage of calls answered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland related to counter-terrorism activities in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(27)  how many police dogs were  (a) injured and  (b) killed as a result of paramilitary activity in each month of the last five years;
	(28)  how many times Police Service of Northern Ireland officers  (a) drew and  (b) fired weapons in each month of the last five years;
	(29)  how many threats have been issued by  (a) loyalist paramilitaries and  (b) dissident republicans against former members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: As these are operational matters for the Chief Constable, I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman, and will arrange for a copy of his letters to be placed in the Library of the House.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the number of rocket launchers held by dissident republicans.

Paul Goggins: It would be inappropriate to comment on what are security and intelligence matters.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to protect Police Service of Northern Ireland officers whilst they are off duty.

Paul Goggins: Both the Chief Constable and I take seriously the security of all those in Northern Ireland considered to be at risk. In accordance with the state's article 2 obligations, protection is provided commensurate with the threat. I regularly discuss changes to the threat profile with my security advisers.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his most recent estimate is of the number of individuals involved in  (a) dissident republican activity and  (b) loyalist paramilitary activity.

Paul Goggins: It would be inappropriate to comment on what are security and intelligence matters.

Terrorism

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received on paramilitary punishment shootings; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Ministers receive representations relating to criminal activity, including punishment attacks, on a regular basis. Where offences have occurred they are actively investigated by the PSNI.

Weapons

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many personal protection weapon applications which were refused in each month of the last five years were subject to  (a) successful and  (b) unsuccessful appeals against the refusal.

Paul Goggins: The following table indicates the number of appeals relating to PPWs that were allowed or refused in each month since January 2004. In March 2009 the decision was taken not to make any further decisions on appeals until the outcome of the PSNI's internal review was known. I am now considering those appeals that were suspended during that period.
	
		
			   Appeal  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct  Nov  Dec 
			 2004 Allowed - - - - - - - - - - - - 
			  Refused - - - - - 1 - - - - 1 2 
			   
			 2005 Allowed - - - - - - - - - - 1 - 
			  Refused 1 2 - - - - - - 2 1 3 1 
			   
			 2006 Allowed - - - - - - - - - 1 2 - 
			  Refused - 2 1 1 1 - - - - - 1 - 
			   
			 2007 Allowed - - - - - - 1 - - - - - 
			  Refused - - 2 1 2 1 7 - - - - - 
			   
			 2008 Allowed - 1 - - - - - - - - - 1 
			  Refused - 1 - - 1 1 3 - - 1 1 - 
			   
			 2009 Allowed - - - - - - - - - - - - 
			  Refused 1 1 - - - - - - - - - -

Weapons

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many personal protection weapons are held in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has informed me that there were 3,224 personal protection weapons held on firearm certificates in Northern Ireland at the end of June 2009.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Bingo Industry

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on the future of the bingo industry; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We have not received any recent representations on the future of the bingo industry, but I am aware of such representations being made to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	We recognise the important social role bingo clubs play in many communities and continue to engage with the industry on a range of issues affecting the state of the sector.

Royal Opera House: Thurrock

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had on future uses of the Royal Opera House production campus in Thurrock.

Barbara Follett: I have had no discussions on the future uses of the Royal Opera House production in Thurrock.
	However, I have recently discussed with the Minister for Skills (Kevin Brennan) at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills the progress of the capital bid that the Creative and Cultural Nationals Skills Academy has put in for a national training centre in Thurrock in partnership with the Royal Opera House.

Tourism Industry

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the tourism industry of changes to the furnished holiday lettings rules.

Barbara Follett: My Department has been working with the tourism and hospitality industry to produce a detailed assessment of the impact that the changes made to the furnished holiday lettings rules in this year's Budget could have on the 50,000 individuals who declare income from them each year.
	Although a range of other reliefs continue to be available under property income rules, I am making representations on behalf of the industry to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on this matter.

Local and Regional Newspapers

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support his Department plans to provide to local and regional newspapers during the recession.

Si�n Simon: The Government have taken action to support local and regional newspapers including a local media summit held in April; a recent OFT review of the media merger rules; an invitation to the audit commission to look at local authority free sheets; Killian Pretty's recommendations on planning and advertising and a commitment in the Digital Britain White Paper to introduce independently funded news consortia which would be broadcast and syndicated more widely across the local and regional news environment.

Community Sports

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of levels of revenue and capital funding for community sport projects in the regions in the period to 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The new Sport England strategy focuses investment predominantly through the national governing bodies of sport. This funding is used to deliver Government's key community sport objectives across the country. £480 million has been made available to these national governing bodies for the period between 2008-09 and 2012-13. A further £220 million of mixed and open funding will also come on line throughout the period.

Pub Closures

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of public houses which have closed in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The DCMS Statistical Bulletin on Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment does not identify the number of pubs in England and Wales; but rather the number of premises authorising the sale or supply of alcohol by means of a premises licence or a club premises certificate. We understand that CGA Strategy, the pub and drinks market analyst, which tracks the pub closure rate on behalf of the British Beer and Pub Association, currently estimates that between 51 and 53 pubs a week are closing. At 53 per week, the pub closure level would equate to around 2,750 per year.

Ministerial Visits

Edward Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sites  (a) he and  (b) Ministers in his Department plan to visit in Crewe and Nantwich constituency in July and August 2009.

Ben Bradshaw: We have no current plans to do so.

Departmental Accountancy

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish his Department's resource accounts for 2008-09.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department's annual report and resource accounts for 2008-09 will be published by the end of July 2009.

Departmental Postal Services

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on Royal Mail services in each of the last two years.

Ben Bradshaw: In the last two financial years the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has paid the following amounts to the Royal Mail:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2007-08 35,538.40 
			 2008-09 22,677.86

Digital Broadcasting: Northern Ireland

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps have been taken to prepare Northern Ireland for digital switchover.

Ben Bradshaw: As digital switchover in Northern Ireland in 2012 draws closer, Digital UK will run a communication programme about switchover and what people can do to ensure that they receive digital television in the area covered by the Ulster TV region.
	In respect of digital radio, we will be working with broadcasters and transmission providers in the coming months to consider how and when the coverage of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) will be extended and improved across all parts of the UK. We plan to deliver the digital radio upgrade programme by the end of 2015, as set out in the recently published Digital Britain White Paper, but the top-level principle of the programme is that it should not result in reduced access to radio services.

Hotels: DVD

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with VisitEngland on its guidance to hoteliers on the DVD concierge licence.

Barbara Follett: VisitEngland recently explained in its 'Quality Edge' magazine (which is distributed to all properties quality assessed by VisitEngland) that under copyright law businesses such as bed and breakfast accommodation should purchase a licence if DVDs are made available to guests.
	I have had no discussions with VisitEngland about this matter.

Tourism

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage people to take a greater proportion of their holidays in the UK.

Barbara Follett: In partnership with other Government Departments, the tourism industry and the wider public sector, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has a clear and coherent policy framework for industry growth. This includes branding and marketing improvement led by VisitBritain; the national tourism skills strategy; and work across Britain on driving up product quality through the accommodation grading schemes.
	Central Government are committed to providing £130 million between 2008 and 2012 for marketing Britain overseas and England to the British. In addition, between £3.3 million and £3.5 million is provided annually to the regional development agencies for tourism support. In addition to this, Government have committed £350 million to helping small businesses get the training they need to get through the economic downturn. This investment is across the economy but we encourage small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism industry to take full advantage of it.
	Specifically, in recent months VisitBritain has emphasised its Value Britain message, which aims to impress on potential overseas visitors the wide range of affordable accommodation, transport and attractions available in Britain. VisitEngland has also launched its Enjoy Every Minute, Enjoy England campaign, designed to inspire and stimulate consumers to take day visits, short breaks and holidays in England this year based on the range of experiences, fantastic quality and value on offer.

Tourism: Morecambe

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding from the public purse has been made available for tourism regeneration projects in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency in the last five years.

Barbara Follett: I have been informed by the North West Development Agency that spending on tourism regeneration projects in Morecambe and Lunesdale in the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Project  Description  Funding (£) 
			 Midland Hotel Morecambe Redevelopment of Midland Hotel, Morecambe 4,070,523 
			 The Whoop Hall, Burrow, Kirkby Lonsdale Refurbishment of redundant rooms to create four letting bedrooms 6,221 
			 Carnforth Market Town-Winter Promotion Scheme Partnership launch event and retail promotion of Carnforth retail centre 42,667 
			 Winter Gardens Morecambe Feasibility work only to allow for HLF bid 15,000 
			 Winter Gardens, Morecambe Detailed Planning Stage-Various technical reports to support funding applications 298,381 
			 Seaside Square-site clearance Site clearance and improvements to land adjacent to the Midland hotel 226,253 
			 Total - 4,659,045

Winter Gardens Project: Morecambe

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding from the public purse has been given to the Winter Gardens Project in Morecambe since its inception.

Barbara Follett: The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding the Winter Gardens in Morecambe started in 1996 and was managed by Government office for the north-west. The SRB Programme was passed to the North West Development Agency (NWDA) to manage, upon its inception in 1999. I am informed by the NWDA that the total SRB funding between 1996 and 2001 was £546,864, and that additional investments totalling £313,381 were made by the NWDA after the closure of the specific SRB.

World Heritage Sites

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to visit  (a) Blaenavon and  (b) other UK World Heritage sites.

Ben Bradshaw: I have no current plans to visit Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, but I will be undertaking a series of regional visits in the coming months and hope to be able to include some of the UK's World Heritage Sites. The Minister for Culture and Tourism recently visited Stonehenge.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Leader of the House on what date she last met Mr Damian McBride in the course of her official duties.

Harriet Harman: I have had no contact with Damian McBride since his resignation from the post of special adviser to the Prime Minister.

Glasgow

John Mason: To ask the Leader of the House whether she plans to visit Glasgow on official business during the summer adjournment.

Barbara Keeley: My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans, at this time, to visit Glasgow on official business.

Members: Allowances

Francis Maude: To ask the Leader of the House how much has been spent under the communications allowance in each year since it was established.

Barbara Keeley: The communications allowance-renamed the communications expenditure on 1 April 2009-was established on 1 April 2007. Since then, the following amounts have been spent in each financial year:
	
		
			   Amount (£000) 
			 2007-08 4,699 
			 2008-09 5,126

Members: Allowances

Francis Maude: To ask the Leader of the House when she plans to introduce proposals to amend controls on the communications allowance payable to hon. Members to take into account the pre-candidacy spending limits introduced by the Political Parties and Elections Bill.

Barbara Keeley: My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to bring forward the necessary amendments after the summer adjournment.

Members: Correspondence

George Young: To ask the Leader of the House when she plans to reply to the letters of 2 June and 6 July from the right hon. Member for North-West Hampshire on the rules on registration of earnings.

Barbara Keeley: My right hon. and learned Friend the Leader of the House has recently met with House authorities on this issue and will reply in full in light of the outcome of that meeting.

Political Parties and Elections Bill

Nick Hurd: To ask the Leader of the House whether she plans to bring forward proposals to amend controls on expenditure from the communications allowance during the pre-candidacy regulated period to be introduced on commencement of the provisions in the Political Parties and Elections Bill.

Barbara Keeley: My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to bring forward the necessary amendments after the summer adjournment.

Scottish Grand Committee

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Leader of the House what consideration the Government have given since November 2003 to arranging for a sitting of the Scottish Grand Committee; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Keeley: The Government keep the matter of Grand Committees under constant review. My right hon. and learned Friend the Leader and I are happy to hear any suggestions, from my hon. Friend, on the matter.

Written Questions

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Leader of the House what recent assessment she has made of the quality of answers given by Ministers to parliamentary questions for written answer.

Barbara Keeley: My right hon. and learned Friend and I keep the quality of answers given to written parliamentary questions under constant review.
	We welcome the recent report of the Procedure Committee on this subject and will be carefully considering the proposals in that report.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children: Disabled

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to ensure that all English local authorities meet the readiness criteria for the distribution of Aiming High for Disabled Children short breaks funding in 2010-11;
	(2)  which local authorities did not meet the readiness criteria for the distribution of Aiming High for Disabled Children short breaks funding by March 2009.

Diana Johnson: The Department has contracted with the organisation Together for Disabled Children (TDC) to support local authorities and primary care trusts in improving short break services.
	Early in 2008 the Department asked those local authorities that fell outside of short break pathfinder areas to undertake preparatory work on short break service reform, ahead of receipt of major new funding from April 2009. Nine criteria were set against which robust preparation could be measured.
	TDC informs us that by March 2009, 15 authorities had met six, seven or eight of the criteria, these were: Brent, Hackney, Havering, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Darlington, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, St. Helens, Warrington, Southampton, Kirklees, Wiltshire
	Three non-pathfinder local authorities had met less than six criteria, these were: City of London, Oldham, Sheffield.
	The remaining 111 non-pathfinders authorities met all the criteria.
	TDC also reports that as of the end of June 2009, 122 of the 129 non-pathfinder areas had met all nine criteria, a further six had met eight criteria, while one authority had yet to meet four criteria.
	The short break national programme has now moved beyond the preparation stage and all areas have received short break funding. Readiness criteria are not being applied to the 2010-11 financial year, however TDC continue to concentrate their resource on those authorities where progress is slowest, and are providing remedial support where readiness criteria remain unmet.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what measures his Department has in place to reassess a student's eligibility for the education maintenance allowance in the event of a change in the student's financial circumstances.

Iain Wright: For most young people, eligibility for education maintenance allowance (EMA) is subject to an assessment of their household income based on the financial year prior to the academic year in which they start their course. A successful assessment provides a young person with a guaranteed entitlement of up to three years of EMA on the same rate regardless of whether their income increases. If there is a drop in income from one year to the next then a young person may apply to be reassessed for the subsequent academic year. They could be assessed as eligible for EMA where they were not previously, or an increased rate of it. They would receive the EMA guarantee based on the rate awarded following the most recent assessment.
	There are a limited number of exceptional circumstances in which a young person may apply to be reassessed for EMA during the academic year. Those circumstances are:
	(i) someone whose income was taken into account in determining financial eligibility has died;
	(ii) a person whose income was taken into account in determining financial eligibility has experienced a reduction in income due to their own disability, or the disability of any other person for whom he or she has responsibility as primary carer (disability means as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995);
	(iii) Since the assessment of income was made, the young person has become estranged from their parents, guardians or someone else whose income was taken into account in determining financial eligibility;
	(iv) The young person has become a parent with responsibility for their own child.
	The financial needs of young people can be affected by a range of circumstances, including reductions in household income due to redundancy, or reduced working hours. Other mechanisms exist to help with the costs of supporting young people aged 16 to 19 in learning. Child benefit provides support for parents regardless of income, and tax credits are designed to tailor support to current circumstances and to be responsive to changing needs.
	In addition to the support provided to families, discretionary learner support funds are made available via the Learning and Skills Council to colleges and local authorities. This funding is provided to enable schools and colleges, using their discretion, to help individual learners facing hardship and financial barriers to learning that are not addressed through other mechanisms. This funding can be used to respond to any hardship needs of learners that may arise through sudden changes in circumstance.

Extended Schools: Finance

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department has issued to local education authorities on the distribution of extended schools funding in respect of children  (a) with special needs and  (b) entitled to free school meals.

Diana Johnson: The Government are committed to every school providing access to a core offer of extended services and has provided significant funding to support the delivery of extended services, including committing over £1 billion in the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. Funding is allocated to local authorities. DCSF guidance states that local authorities should work closely with their schools and other children's service partners through the children's trust to develop and agree strategic plans for using the extended services funding. Local authorities are strongly encouraged to devolve as much of their extended schools funding to schools as possible. In determining allocations, local authorities are encouraged to consider the needs and context of schools and their population, including levels of deprivation, of which free school meals is one of the indicators. DCSF guidance also states that extended activities and services will be of particular benefit to disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs.
	As part of this funding, there is over £200 million of extended services subsidy. This is focused on supporting the access to extra-curricular activities by disadvantaged children, including children eligible for free school meals. The DCSF has issued the message to local authorities that all subsidy funding is to be passed to schools to help increase the level of participation for those children. The DCSF has, working with the Council for Disabled Children, issued guidance: Extending Inclusion-Access for disabled children and young people to extended schools and children's centres: a development manual, emphasising the importance of making extended services accessible to all children. This is available from
	www.teachernet.gov.uk

Residence and Guardianship Orders

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) residency and  (b) guardianship orders there were in force in each local authority social services area in each of the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of residency and special guardianship orders made in England and Wales over the last five years are contained in the following table.
	In the majority of cases individuals, not local authorities, apply for these orders in private law proceedings. Special guardianship orders came into force on 30 December 2005 and are provided for in sections 14A to 14G of the Children Act 1989.
	A court may resolve a local authority's public law application by making a residence or special guardianship order to a named individual.
	
		
			  Residence and Special Guardianship Orders for England and Wales 
			   Private Law  Public Law 
			   Residence  Special Guardianship  Residence  Special Guardianship 
			 2007 23,703 451 2,529 1,096 
			 2006 22,991 730 2,700 176 
			 2005 26,253 n/a 2,580 n/a 
			 2004 31,878 n/a 2,976 n/a 
			 2003 31,966 n/a 2,866 n/a 
			  Note: These figures are for 'Orders made' not orders in force

School Meals

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which local authorities have applied for the exceptional capital funding for new kitchens in schools announced in December 2007; which local authorities have received such funding; and if he will make a statement.

Diana Johnson: The Department announced in 2006 that it would make £150 million targeted capital funding available in the next spending review period to local authorities to build new kitchens in areas of greatest need. Bids totalling £49,908 million were received in this first round and approved from the following local authorities:
	 Local a uthority
	West Sussex
	Swindon
	N E Lincolnshire
	Lincolnshire
	North Somerset
	Dorset
	Wigan
	Harrow
	Hillingdon
	Plymouth
	Buckinghamshire
	Bournemouth
	Kingston upon Thames
	Northamptonshire
	Worcestershire
	Bids from Gloucestershire and Hull did not meet the criteria. Payments to successful LAs are being phased over the three years 2008 to 2011 according to the needs of the individual authorities.
	The Government announced in December 2007 that local authorities could bid for the remaining £100 million to support the improvement of kitchens and dining areas in order to improve school lunch take up.
	Bids were received from 133 authorities and totalled just under £200 million. Although the bids varied significantly, all of them met our criteria. It was therefore decided to apply an across the board cut of just under 50 per cent. so that all LAs received a proportionate amount of their bid.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Members' Constituency Work: Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Solicitor-General if the Attorney-General will meet the hon. Member for Hemsworth to discuss a constituency issue.

Vera Baird: A meeting has been scheduled with the Attorney-General.

Patrick Brendon Smith: Sentencing

Edward Timpson: To ask the Solicitor-General whether the Attorney-General considered lodging an appeal against the sentence imposed on Patrick Brendon Smith by Preston Crown Court in October 2008.

Vera Baird: Mr. Smith was convicted of attempting to abduct a child and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 empowers the Attorney-General to refer certain sentences to the Court of Appeal for review. The offence of child abduction is not an offence to which section 36 applies and the Attorney-General could not therefore consider referring the case.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Breast Feeding

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent representations she has received on the proposals in the Equality Bill in relation to a mother breastfeeding in a public place who is asked to  (a) leave that place by a person in authority and  (b) stop breastfeeding by a member of the public.

Michael Jabez Foster: Following Second Reading of the Equality Bill, interested organisations raised concerns that, as drafted, the Bill reduced the existing protection against discrimination for pregnant women and new mothers. This drew our attention to an unintended consequence of the drafting which would have potentially allowed discrimination against pregnant women or new mothers if this could be shown to be reasonable. Therefore on 9 June, we tabled amendments to the Bill which represent a return to the level of protection given against pregnancy and maternity discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (as amended). These amendments were briefly debated on 16 June and agreed, and now stand part of the Bill.
	The Bill makes absolutely clear that breastfeeding mothers are protected from sex discrimination in relation to provision of services to the public, whatever their baby's age. So a woman who is breastfeeding her baby in a restaurant or on a bus cannot lawfully be asked to leave, or get off, for that reason. At present we have no plans to bring forward proposals to provide a legal right for women to breastfeed in public places.

Departmental Operating Costs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what the running costs of the Government Equalities Office have been in each year since its establishment.

Michael Jabez Foster: Since its establishment on 12 October 2007, the running costs for the Government Equalities Office have been:
	
		
			  Expenditure 
			  £000 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Pay costs 3,118 3,996 5,142 
			 Non-pay costs 339 1,212 2,701 
			 Total 3457 5,208 7,843

Equality Bill

David Evennett: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent representations she has received from religious organisations on the provisions of the Equality Bill.

Michael Jabez Foster: My officials and I have received a number of representations from religion and belief organisations and individuals since the introduction of the Equality Bill in April this year.
	Since April there have been meetings with the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, the General Synod of the Church of England and the National Secular Society.
	In that same period we have also received 45 letters from religious or belief organisations and members of the public on the provisions within the Bill. The main issues raised were:
	The public sector equality duty;
	The occupational requirements employment exception;
	Catholic adoption agencies;
	The harassment provisions;
	The curbing of religious freedom and expression; and
	A perceived hierarchy of rights where some protected characteristics take precedence over others.
	In addition to the representations mentioned above, a number of religious and belief organisations made submissions to the House of Commons' Public Bill Committee on the Equality Bill. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the British Humanist Association presented written evidence. Oral evidence was presented by the British Humanist Association, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, the General Synod of the Church of England, the National Secular Society and the Muslim Women's Network.

Members: Correspondence

John Stanley: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality when she plans to reply to the letter of 23 February 2009 and 23 May 2009 from the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling on behalf of Mr Colin Packman.

Michael Jabez Foster: I am sorry that the right hon. Member has not received a response.
	The office for the Minister for Women and Equality had no record of receiving the correspondence referred to. Following contact with the right hon. Member's office, the Government Equalities Office has now received a copy the relevant correspondence, and I will reply by the end of July.

Terrorism Bill

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what expenditure the Commission for Equality and Human Rights incurred on commissioning legal advice on the compliance of the Terrorism Bill with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Michael Jabez Foster: The Equality and Human Rights Commission spent £9,603 (including VAT) on expert legal advice from counsel.

Women and Work Commission

Meg Munn: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality when she expects the Women and Work Commission to report on the impact of the recommendations adopted by the Government in response to the report of the Commission in 2006.

Michael Jabez Foster: The Women and Work Commission are due to publish their report on 29 July 2009.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Buildings

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what properties his  (a) Department and  (b) Department's non-departmental public bodies have sold in each of the last five years; and how many of these have been sold for housing development.

Michael Foster: In the last five years, the Department for International Development and the non-departmental bodies it oversees have sold no property in the United Kingdom.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what databases which will be managed by his Department and which will contain personal information are  (a) under construction and  (b) expected to go live in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development has no current plans to build new databases containing personal information.
	We do expect to replace existing databases used for internal administration of human resources and correspondence within the next five years.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many  (a) attempts and  (b) successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each (i) database and (ii) ICT system run by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: It is not in the interests of the UK's national security for departments to confirm information on the number of attempts, successful or otherwise, to gain unauthorised access to departmental systems or databases. Such disclosure could undermine the integrity and security of departmental systems and thereby expose them to potential threats.
	The Department for International Development complies with the mandatory requirements of the security policy framework in relation to information security including managing the risk of unauthorised access to ICT systems.

Departmental Work Experience

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many interns work in his Department; what terms of reference apply to their appointment; what remuneration they receive; and how long on average an intern appointment lasts.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development does not have an intern scheme.

Food Security Initiative

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding the UK has pledged to the new G8; what the timescale for that funding is; and whether this funding is additional to existing funding provision.

Michael Foster: The UK announced £1.1 billion for agriculture, rural development and food security over the period 2009-10 to 2011-12.
	£370 million of this had previously been announced in 2008-09 as part of the UK's £900 million response to the food crisis.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Aerials: Planning Permission

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Jacqui Lait) of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, column 252W, on planning permission: aerials, what progress has been made on the review of planning regulations affecting mobile telephone masts; and if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require full planning permission for the construction of such masts.

Ian Austin: We will be announcing the conclusions of our review of permitted development rights for telecommunications shortly.

Business: Government Assistance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how much of the £3 million fund for high streets adversely affected by the economic downturn has been  (a) allocated to and  (b) spent in each region;
	(2)  how many unused commercial premises have been taken over for community creative use since his announcement on such usage in April 2009.

Shahid Malik: There has been widespread interest in the Looking after our town centres guide, with nearly 9,000 downloads of the document since it was published in April. However, information on how commercial premises are being used is not collected centrally, as this is a matter for local authorities and their partners. An announcement will be made shortly on how the £3 million funding will be allocated.

Central Manchester Development Corporation: Archives

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, column 900W, on the Central Manchester Development Corporation: archives, which archives of the Central Manchester Development Corporation are within the Government Office for the North-West registry.

Rosie Winterton: There are no Central Manchester Development Corporation archives held in GONW. All such files were sent to an external storage facility in March 1998 with instructions to be securely destroyed on 1 April 2006.

Council Tax: Pensioners

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will assess the merits of introducing a council tax deferment scheme for home-owning pensioners.

Rosie Winterton: The Government have no plans to assess the merits of introducing a council tax deferment scheme for home-owning pensioners. Regulation 21 of Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/613) already enables local authorities to defer payment of council tax for individual taxpayers, including pensioners. The details of such arrangements are a matter for individual local authorities.

Councillors: Allowances

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what statistical information his Department holds on average councillor allowances.

Rosie Winterton: We do not collect or report on allowances paid to local authority members, which are matters for each council to decide, having regard to the recommendations of their independent remuneration panel, and on which the council is accountable to their local electorate.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) attempts and  (b) successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each (i) database and (ii) ICT system run by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: It is not in the interests of the UK's national security for Departments to confirm information on the number of attempts, successful or otherwise, to gain unauthorised access to departmental systems or databases. Such disclosure could undermine the integrity and security of departmental systems and thereby expose them to potential threats.
	Communities and Local Government complies with the mandatory requirements of the Security Policy Framework in relation to information security including managing the risk of unauthorised access to ICT systems.

Departmental Databases

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information databases his Department  (a) maintains and  (b) uses which do not contain personal information.

Shahid Malik: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what categories of personal information on members of the public will be held on each of his Department's and its agency's databases expected to become operational in the next five years; what estimate he has made of the likely number of individuals' details each such database will hold when fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: New databases containing personal data are set up by Communities and Local Government as and when policy development and implementation of policy dictate the operational need for them. It is not possible to plan or predict how many individuals' details nor what categories of their personal information are likely to need to be held on new databases that are required for the business of the Department up to five years ahead. None the less, Communities and Local Government always takes steps to ensure that new databases are fully compliant with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) photocopiers,  (b) scanning devices and  (c) fax machines, excluding multi-function devices, there are in his Department; how many there were in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Communities and Local Government are reviewing its use of such devices with the aim of reducing the numbers and moving to a more carbon efficient approach in line with the requirements of the Greening Government ICT programme.

Fire Services

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the latest estimated total gross cost is of the FIREControl project.

Shahid Malik: We will be updating the cost figures contained in the FiReControl Business Case in due course to reflect the rescheduling I announced to the House on 15 July 2009.

Fires

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) injuries and  (b) deaths were caused (i) by all fires and (ii) by fires with a source of ignition in (A) wires and cables and (B) leads and appliances in each year since 2003.

Shahid Malik: The latest data on the number of injuries and deaths by the types of source of ignition requested are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Casualties in fires by source of ignition, England, 2003-07( 1) 
			   All casualties  Leads to appliances( 2)  Wires and cables( 3) 
			  2003
			 Fatal casualties 468 1 2 
			 Non-fatal casualties 12,383 89 263 
			 
			  2004
			 Fatal casualties 368 1 2 
			 Non-fatal casualties 11,447 60 225 
			 
			  2005
			 Fatal casualties 387 2 3 
			 Non-fatal casualties 11,251 68 243 
			 
			  2006
			 Fatal casualties 398 5 3 
			 Non-fatal casualties 11,042 64 224 
			 
			  2007
			 Fatal casualties 356 1 5 
			 Non-fatal casualties 10,446 69 236 
			 (1) Data for 2007 are provisional and subject to change. (2) Leads to appliances includes extension leads. (3) Wires and cables include: switch gear, meters, fuses, junction boxes, fixed mains wiring (before and after meter) but excludes sockets and switches in vehicles and plugs.  Source: Fire data reports to CLG

Floods: Gardens

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for the Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) of 2 June 2009,  Official Report, column 335W, on floods: gardens, when he expects to  (a) receive and  (b) publish the final report of the research into the effects of the paving of back gardens on levels of flood risk.

Ian Austin: The Government have now received the research report on permeable and impermeable surfacing. We intend to publish the report shortly with the consultation on a package of measures to respond to the recommendations from Killian Pretty for improving the planning process.

Government Office for London: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) administrative cost and  (b) total expenditure of the Government Office for London were in 2008-09.

Rosie Winterton: The 2008-09 administrative costs for Government Office for London (GOL) were:
	Salary: £10,799,080
	Non-pay: £972,438
	Total: £11,771,518
	The gross accommodation spend for GOL for 2008-09 was £4,458,591 and related tariff/minor occupier income of £358,700. The net accommodation expenditure was £4,099,891.

Home Information Packs

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of registered home inspectors there were in each of the last three years.

John Healey: No estimate of the number of inspectors registered to produce home condition reports in each of the last three years has been made. The number of registered inspectors on 14 July 2009, which is the most recent date for which numbers were available, was 963.

Homes and Communications Agency: Finance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much he expects to provide the Homes and Communications Agency in grant in aid in 2009-10.

John Healey: The latest estimate of the amount of grant in aid that the Department expects to give the Homes and Communities Agency is published in the notes to the Department's Main Estimates 2009-10, on the Treasury website at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/13403_me08_dclg_lst.pdf

Homes and Communities Agency: Finance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) capital and  (b) resource allocation for (i) the Homes and Communities Agency and (ii) the Tenant Services Authority is for (A) 2009-10 and (B) 2010-11.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16 June 2009,  Official Report, column 202W.

Homes and Communities Agency: Guardian

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what  (a) financial and  (b) administrative support the Homes and Communities Agency provides to the Guardian newspaper website for its Housing Horizons microsite; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The HCA has made no financial contribution or administrative support for the housing microsite, Housing Horizons.

Housing

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to how many local newspapers the Minister for Housing and Planning's letter on being green while tackling the recession was sent.

John Healey: No such letters were sent out. However, an article I wrote was made available to local newspapers through the Central Office of Information.

Housing: Energy

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effect on the level of demand for the services of accredited energy assessors of his Department's funding for energy assessments to be performed by Eaga.

John Healey: My Department does not provide funding for energy assessments performed by Eaga plc.

Housing: Energy

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effect on  (a) energy efficiency in council homes,  (b) the number of new social rented homes,  (c) the number of households in temporary accommodation,  (d) repairs to council housing stock and  (e) the progress of regeneration and housing infrastructure projects of the £775 million in capital funding for housing and regeneration, brought forward from 2010-11 to 2009-10 and 2008-09; and how much of the funding has been spent in each month since it was announced.

John Healey: The £775 million consisted of £150 million for social rented housing, through the Affordable Housing Programme; £250 million for decent homes, which has been allocated to fund improvements and improve energy efficiency in council homes; £175 million for major repairs to council housing stock; and £100 million and £80 million respectively for the regional development agencies and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to support key regeneration and housing infrastructure projects.
	The investment in social rented homes forms part of the National Affordable Housing Programme and is reported as part of that programme. Information on spending for new affordable housing is published in HCA's Annual Report and Accounts. The money for decent homes has been allocated directly to local authorities as part of the overall Decent Homes programme and is not reported on separately. £162 million of the £175 million for major repairs has been allocated to 39 local authorities.
	A large number of our programmes are aimed at reducing the number of people in temporary accommodation. Over the past year those households placed in temporary accommodation has reduced by 17 per cent. to 64,000 from a peak of 101,000 in December 2004 (as at 30 March).
	The regeneration funding was intended for 2009-10. As sponsor Department for the regional development agencies, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills leads on the monitoring of the £100 million reprioritised for critical regeneration projects with relevant projects due to begin work in the autumn. The HCA are due to begin investment of the £80 million allocated to them shortly, with work beginning on relevant priority projects during the autumn/winter.
	Because these schemes represent elements of wider programmes with established reporting mechanisms, monthly breakdowns of spend are not available.

Housing: Low Incomes

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many affordable homes have been built in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point in each of the last five years.
	(2)  how many homes for social rent have been built in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point in each of the last five years.
	(3)  how many properties he expects to be added to the stock of social rented housing through  (a) construction and  (b) purchase in (i) Essex and (ii) Castle Point in (A) 2009-10 and (B) each of the next four years.

Ian Austin: The following table shows the number of new affordable homes built in Essex and Castle Point in each of the last five years.
	
		
			   Castle Point  Essex 
			 2003-04 0 350 
			 2004-05 30 500 
			 2005-06 0 840 
			 2006-07 0 660 
			 2007-08 20 1,260 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of new social rented homes built in Essex and Castle Point in each of the last five years.
	
		
			   Castle Point  Essex 
			 2003-04 0 330 
			 2004-05 30 450 
			 2005-06 0 650 
			 2006-07 0 490 
			 2007-08 10 840 
			  Note:  Figures have been rounded to nearest 10 units.   Source:  Homes and Communities Agency Investment Management System (IMS), and local authority returns to CLG. 
		
	
	Not all social rented and affordable housing is provided by new build completions, as some supply can come from acquisitions. For example, in 2007-08, a total of 1,440 additional affordable homes were provided in Essex (new build and acquisitions).
	Communities and Local Government do not set targets for the National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP) at a local level. The Homes and Communities Agency's National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP) awards grant funding for the provision of social housing on the basis of competitive bidding.

Housing: Low Incomes

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding has been  (a) allocated to and  (b) spent in the West Midlands under the My Choice HomeBuy scheme in 2009-10.

John Healey: We have not set individual budgets for each HomeBuy scheme to ensure flexibility within the Homes and Communities Agency's National Affordable Housing programme 2008-11.
	To the end of June £953,055 had been spent on My Choice HomeBuy in the West Midlands.

Housing: Low Incomes

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government during what periods bidding has taken place for funding under the  (a) HomeBuy Direct,  (b) New Build HomeBuy,  (c) Rent to HomeBuy and  (d) the First time Buyers initiative since the inception of each scheme.

John Healey: An  Official Journal of the European Union compliant competition to select suitable schemes and providers for HomeBuy Direct commenced on 1 October and closed on 7 November 2008.
	FTBI schemes were procured by the former English Partnerships in 2006-07.
	For the National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP), bidding for the 2006-08 programme took place between July and October 2005. The initial bid round for the 2008-11 programme ran from September to early November 2007. This was followed by two Regular Market Engagements (RME). The first RME bid round ran from mid-April to mid-May 2008 and the second ran in July 2008. From September 2008 we moved to Continuous Market Engagement under which there are no longer pre-defined bid rounds and bidding is always open.
	New Build HomeBuy and Rent to HomeBuy are part of the NAHP.

Housing: Low Incomes

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has spent on Rent to HomeBuy in 2009-10 to date.

John Healey: Up to the end of June £26,954,819 had been spent on Rent to HomeBuy in 2009-10.

Housing: Low Incomes

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what effect the decision to end the Open Market HomeBuy scheme will have on other HomeBuy schemes.

John Healey: The Government remain committed to helping households who could not otherwise afford to buy into homeownership and the HomeBuy Direct, New Build HomeBuy and Rent to HomeBuy schemes remain available to help those who cannot afford to purchase without Government assistance.

Housing: Low Incomes

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his plans are for the future operation of OpenMarket HomeBuy; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I refer my hon. Friend to my written statement to the House on 30 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 8-10WS.

Housing: Low Incomes

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent estimate is of the level of take-up of OpenMarket HomeBuy in each region; and how many purchases were made under what scheme in  (a) 2007-08,  (b) 2008-09 and  (c) 2009 to date; and what the monetary value of those purchases was in each period.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to my written statement to the House on 30 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 8-9WS. Since 1997, we have helped over 35,000 households through the Open Market HomeBuy scheme. However, we want to maximise our efforts behind building of new affordable homes, so we are closing the open market homebuy scheme to new applicants and in future our low cost home ownership programme will be directed to schemes which support new build homes.
	The following table shows the take-up of, and number of purchases made through Open Market HomeBuy by scheme and region for 2007-08, 2008-09 and the first quarter of 2009-10.
	
		
			  Number 
			   2007-08  2008-09( 1)  2009-10( 1) 
			   eOMHB  Mychoice homebuy  Ownhome  eOMHB( 2)  Mychoice homebuy  Ownhome 
			 Eastern 455 151 40 52 30 1 
			 East Midlands 60 625 81 292 182 0 
			 London 624 1,072 158 191 268 0 
			 North East 9 15 10 3 1 0 
			 North West 181 101 56 87 23 0 
			 South East 904 1,176 198 412 255 12 
			 South West 286 393 137 158 48 2 
			 West Midlands 133 228 68 124 26 5 
			 Yorks and Humber 97 165 51 79 8 0 
			 Total 2,749 3,926 799 1,398 841 20 
		
	
	The following table shows Government investment on open market homebuy by scheme and region for 2007-08, 2008-09 and the first quarter of 2009-10.
	
		
			  £ 
			   2007-08  2008-09( 1)  2009-10( 1) 
			   eOMHB  Mychoice homebuy  Ownhome  eOMHB( 2)  Mychoice homebuy  Ownhome 
			 Eastern 12,646,571 3,700,539 886,598 1,355,608 981,494 21,345 
			 East Midlands 1,302,182 20,410,497 2,208,860 9,434,277 6,955,301 0 
			 London 21,709,182 55,687,444 5,603,082 7,840,091 13,540,200 0 
			 North East 202,916 374,546 185,200 69,138 32,335 0 
			 North West 3,807,132 2,424,249 1,226,558 2,039,110 763,443 0 
			 South East 27,484,354 37,648,932 5,755,648 13,998,812 10,679,519 332,391 
			 South West 7,047,391 10,864,285 3,683,044 4,719,230 1,785,254 85,656 
			 West Midlands 2,575,689 5,729,820 1,489,892 2,706,973 953,055 77,010 
			 Yorks and Humber 2,281,400 3,951,227 1,140,239 2,111,025 234,567 0 
			 Total 79,056,817 140,791,539 22,179,121 44,274,264 35,925,168 484,662 
			 (1) 2008-09 and 2009-10 figures are provisional. (2) eOMHB: Transitional arrangement for those households who had already been approved in 2007-08.  Source: Homes and Communities Agency.

Housing: Low Incomes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many potential homebuyers have been informed that their applications to the MyChoice Homebuy scheme have been refused as a result of all the scheme's funding having been allocated.

John Healey: The total number of people contacted is not held centrally.
	Funding for the MyChoice HomeBuy scheme is confirmed only at the point when the equity loan provider has approved an applicant's purchase in writing. Applicants are always advised not to incur any costs until they have received written confirmation from the equity loan provider stating that their chosen property is eligible, that funding has been reserved for them and confirming that the applicant can proceed with their purchase.
	Applicants who have not received confirmation have been contacted by MyChoice HomeBuy providers informing them that funding has been fully committed and that the scheme is now closed.

Housing: Low Incomes

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes for  (a) intermediate low cost ownership and  (b) social rent he expects to be (i) started and (ii) completed in each local authority area in each of the next three years.

John Healey: We do not make future estimates of the number of intermediate affordable homes and social rented homes started and completed by local authority area.

Improvement and Development Agency: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much direct funding his Department has allocated to the Improvement and Development Agency in each year since 2000.

Rosie Winterton: The Improvement and Development Agency receives revenue support grant (RSG) funding from my Department to provide core services for local government improvement. We give additional money for specific projects from CLG allocations. Since 2000 they will have received the following amounts
	
		
			   Improvement and Development Agency funding allocated (£) 
			 2009-10 32,670,000 
			 2008-09 28,730,000 
			 2007-08 30,688,000 
			 2006-07 36,924,000 
			 2005-06 38,549,978 
			 2004-05 21,097,000 
			 2003-04 20,563,000 
			 2002-03 14,212,000 
			 2001-02 17,041,000 
			 2000-01 14,939,000

Knowledge Network Project

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough of 11 May 2009,  Official Report, column 538W, on the Knowledge Network project, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance provided for staff in his Department on using the Knowledge Network.

Shahid Malik: Communities and Local Government has no specific guidance relating to staff using the Knowledge Network.

Local Democratic Renewal Programme

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for implementation of the policies outlined in the Local Democratic Renewal Programme; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Government are preparing to consult shortly on a range of issues around local democratic renewal. A number of questions around future policy will be posed in that consultation, and we will take forward ideas in the light of comments received.

Local Government Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department is taking steps to reform the parish cheque payment system operating in local authorities.

Rosie Winterton: The reform of the parish cheque payment system is the subject of continuing discussions with the National Association of Local Councils and other interested parties. Once these discussions are concluded it is our policy to look for an appropriate legislative vehicle to replace the relevant legislative provisions.

Local Government Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department is taking steps to protect local authorities against vexatious objections to the local authorities auditing system.

Rosie Winterton: The Code of Audit practice makes it clear that auditors should reject objections that disclose no reasonable cause for action, are frivolous or vexatious objections to the local council auditing system.

Local Government Finance

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  which  (a) specific and  (b) area-based grants are distributed to local authorities by each division of his Department;
	(2)  what recent estimate has been made of the annual cost to  (a) his Department of distributing each grant made by it to local authorities and  (b) local authorities of administering each such grant.

Rosie Winterton: The Government believe in giving local authorities greater flexibility to take decisions on local priorities. The introduction of the area based grant has reduced ring-fencing, giving councils increased flexibility to manage their budgets. Alongside this, the new local performance framework has provided a simplified and more effective structure for priority setting and performance measurement.
	The following specific grants are being paid by this Department direct to local authorities in 2009-10:
	Cornish Language 2009
	Housing Option Grant 2009-10
	Minor Repairs and Adaptations Handyperson Grant 2009-10
	Overcrowding Grant 2009-10
	Supporting Local Delivery Grant for Local Improvement Adviser Support 2009
	Planning Sector-Led Support 2009-10
	Homelessness Revenue Grant 2009-10
	Fire and Rescue Authorities Capital Funding 2009-10
	Olympic Park Grant 2009-10
	Growth Fund 2009-10
	Olympic Security Funding-Dorset Fire and Rescue 2009-10
	Olympic Security Funding-LFEPA 2009-10
	Timely Information to Citizens 2009-10
	FiReControl Implementation Funding 2009-10
	Preventing Repossession Revenue Grant 2009-10
	Minor Repairs and Adaptations Enhanced Services Grant 2009-10
	Capacity Building and Efficiency Grant for Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships 2009
	Fire and Rescue Authorities Capital Funding (Diversity Recruitment Target Commitment) 2009-10
	Empty Shops Funding 2009-10
	Local Public Service Agreements Performance Reward Grant 2009-10
	Supporting Worklessness Delivery Grant for Regional Efficiency and Improvement Partnerships 2009-10
	Business Rates Deferral Scheme 2009-10
	Community Infrastructure Fund 2009-10
	Fund to Manage Transitional Impacts of Migration (No 2) 2009-10
	Local Authority Business Growth Incentives
	Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (capital element)
	Warden Resource Centre Grant
	Coastal Communities Regeneration Handbook
	Housing and Planning Delivery Grant
	Supporting People Programme Grant
	Disabled Facilities Grant
	Rent Officers Pension Liabilities
	New Dimension Grant.
	Area based grant is paid by Communities and Local Government on behalf of the Government as a whole, in monthly instalments. Funding streams from this Department which are being paid through area based grant in 2009-10 are:
	Community Cohesion
	Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (resource element)
	Stronger Safer Communities
	Supporting People Administration
	Working Neighbourhood Fund
	Preventing Violent Extremism
	Climate Change.
	The Department does not routinely estimate the costs of distributing grant each year, although it does consider the cost-effectiveness of proposals as part of the policy development process. It also assesses whether there will be any new burdens on local authorities, and ensures that these are fully funded when a policy is implemented.

Local Government Services

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what methodology his Department's  (a) Total Place and  (b) Place Shaping approach to local service delivery was based.

Rosie Winterton: The Total Place project is based on a refinement of the methodology developed by the Leadership Centre for Local Government. The idea emerged from an in depth analysis of the leadership of places run by the leadership centre in February 2007.
	Our planned approach to local service delivery was set out in the 2006 Local Government White Paper Strong and Prosperous Communities, which was in turn informed by the work of the Lyons Inquiry into the future role, function and funding of local government. The improved delivery of services through local strategic partnerships and local area agreements has been further developed by provisions within the Local Government and Public involvement in Health Act 2007, and its success is being measured both through the new comprehensive area assessment and through evidence including the Citizenship Survey and Place Survey.

Local Government: Procurement

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on the procurement of halal meat; and whether that guidance differentiates between stunned and pre-stunned meat.

Rosie Winterton: The Department for Communities and Local Government has not issued any guidance to local authorities on the procurement of Halal meat. However, the Food Quality Standards, published by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in November 2008, offers guidance to public authorities on purchasing Halal food. The standards can be accessed using the following link:
	http://www.ogc.gov.uk/food_food_quality_standards.asp

Mortgages

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment has been made of the effects of the level of availability of high loan-to-value mortgages on the ability of first-time buyers to obtain mortgages.

John Healey: Communities and Local Government is working closely with Her Majesty's Treasury and the Financial Services Authority to support sustainable mortgage lending to first time buyers.
	The current median average loan-to-value percentage secured by first-time buyers is 75 per cent., down from 90 per cent. in December 2007. However, the Government have substantially increased investment in low cost home ownership products; such as HomeBuy Direct which provides a 30 per cent. equity loan that can be used as a deposit.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how much money has been allocated to the  (a) Mortgage Rescue and  (b) Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme for expenditure in (i) Test Valley borough and (ii) Southampton; and whether his Department has placed a limit on the number of households which may be assisted under each such scheme;
	(2)  how many households in  (a) Test Valley borough and  (b) Southampton have received assistance under the (i) Mortgage Rescue and (ii) Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme to date.

John Healey: The £285 million Government Mortgage Rescue Scheme has been operational across the country since 1 January 2009. The Government do not allocate money directly to local authorities under the scheme. It is a demand-led scheme, with the number of vulnerable households benefiting in each local authority dependent on numbers of eligible applicants approaching their local authority for assistance.
	As part of the monitoring arrangements for the scheme, headline data for January to May 2009, provided by local authorities and broken down by Government office region, are available on the Department's website
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/mortgagerescuestatistics
	Figures reported by local authorities from January to May 2009 are provided in a table, which has been placed in the Library.
	The Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme provides enhanced support for homeowners who have fallen on difficult times by enabling them to reduce their mortgage interest payments to affordable levels. The Government do not allocate money directly to households under the scheme. There is no target or limit to the number of households who may be assisted under the scheme in any particular region or area. Official figures on numbers of households entering HMS will be published later this year.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be assisted by the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme in  (a) West Derbyshire and  (b) the UK in the next 12 months.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins) on 24 June 2009,  Official Report, column 961W.

Non-domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will establish a cross-Government review on the effect of the new regime of retrospective business rates on  (a) businesses and  (b) cross-border trade.

Rosie Winterton: There will be no cross-Government review, as the business rates legislation concerning when a business becomes liable to pay rates has not changed.

Non-domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough of 13 March 2009,  Official Report, column 768W, on non-domestic rates: small businesses, what timetable his Department has set for the publication of data on the take-up rate of small business rate relief.

Rosie Winterton: No timetable for this work has yet been set. We are currently examining data reported by local authorities on the annual national non-domestic rate return to assess their quality before making a decision on whether they are suitable for publication.

Non-domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 24 April 2009,  Official Report, column 921W, on non-domestic rates: small businesses, what the maximum cash value of small business rate relief, including the value of the lower small business multiplier to a firm in  (a) London and  (b) outside London is in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

Rosie Winterton: Eligible businesses which have been granted small business rate relief have their rates calculated using the small business rates multiplier, and those under £10,000 in rateable value also receive a discount. The maximum value of the small business rate relief will apply to properties of £5,000 rateable value, as properties up to that value receive the maximum 50 per cent. discount.
	The maximum cash value of small business rate relief that could be granted to a firm both inside and outside of London (excluding the City of London) was £1,165 in 2008-09 and £1,222.50 in 2009-10.
	The City of London authority is allowed to add an additional supplement onto the rates multiplier of 0.4p in the pound. This means the maximum cash value of small business rate relief that could be granted to a firm in the City of London was £1,175 in 2008-09 and £1,232.50 in 2009-10.
	This does not take into account any deferral of the rate increase for 2009-10.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2009,  Official Report, column 962W, on non-domestic rates: ports, if he will place in the Library a copy of the items of correspondence.

Rosie Winterton: No. It would be inappropriate for Ministers to release correspondence they receive from hon. Members and their constituents without their authority.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 912-13W, on non-domestic rates: ports, what guidance his Department provided to the Valuation Office Agency on the 2005 revaluation.

Rosie Winterton: The assessment of rateable value and the maintenance of rating lists is the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency and not this Department. We do not provide guidance to the Valuation Office Agency on professional valuation issues.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2009,  Official Report, column 912W, on non-domestic rates: ports, 
	(1)  for what reasons the Valuation Office Agency did not initiate its review of all major ports in 2005; how many properties identified by the review as separately rateable had not been assessed; for what reasons those properties were not separately listed in 2005; and when and how the owners of such properties were notified of the findings of the review in respect of their properties;
	(2)  how many separate assessments on port businesses were undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency in 2005; whether such assessments were listed in respect of how many other businesses it was established that a separate assessment should be made; when such assessments were  (a) made and  (b) listed; and how many businesses which were separately assessed in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006 consequent on the review of all major ports were reassessed in (A) 2007, (B) 2008 and (C) 2009;
	(3)  how many port businesses have been subject to separate assessments; and how many of those businesses were reassessed in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2008 and  (c) 2009.

Rosie Winterton: The original assessments in the 2005 rating list were produced in good faith on the basis of the information held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The VOA did not undertake a review of occupations within ports at this time because it had not identified evidence that such a review was required.
	Once evidence that additional properties within ports should be separately assessed came to the Agency's attention, it had a statutory duty to carry out such assessments and enter them onto the rating list.
	Over 1,600 properties within the 45 ports in England were separately assessed immediately prior to the completion of the review of each port. After review, some of those properties were no longer separately listed or had their list entry altered.
	A total of 748 additional properties were separately assessed for the first time with an effective date of 1 April 2005 as a result of the Agency's review of ports, of which 28 are no longer separately listed. As at 8 July 2009 the number of properties within ports that are separately assessed was 2,207, a net increase of around 600 compared with the position immediately prior to the review of each port.
	The Agency notified the occupiers of these properties of the findings of the review as and when each review was completed. The exact date and method of notification varies from port to port and occupier to occupier.
	Information on the date that each separate assessment was made and information on the number of separate assessments within ports that have been re-assessed in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Privacy: Impact Assessments

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his Department's policy is on performing privacy impact assessments to accompany new regulations or legislation.

Shahid Malik: It is the Department's policy to follow the Information Commissioner's guidance on when a privacy impact assessment is required and how it should be carried out.

Regional Government: Operating Costs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the running costs were of each regional Government Office in the last year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 12 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 1062-64W.

Regional Planning and Development

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department has allocated through regional efficiency and improvement partnerships in the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: The Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships were set up in April 2008 and receive core funding from my Department. My Department has provided £50 million core funding for Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships since their inception in April 2008, and is committed to providing a further £135 million core funding over the remaining CSR07 period, including the £68 million investment I confirmed on 15 July 2009 for this year (2009-10). We also provide additional money for specific projects. Funding provided is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Revenue funding  Capital funding 
			 2008-09 74,922,000 26,412,000 
			 2009-10 54,000,000 13,500,000 
			 Total 128,922,000 39,912,000

Regional Planning and Development

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what financial support his Department has provided to local authorities and their representative bodies through  (a) regional efficiency and improvement partnerships and  (b) regional empowerment partnerships in the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: The Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships were set up in April 2008 and receive core funding from my Department. My Department has provided £50 million core funding for Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships since their inception in April 2008, and is committed to providing a further £135 million core funding over the remaining Comprehensive Spending Review 07 period, including the £68 million investment I confirmed on 15 July 2009 for this year (2009-10). We also provide additional money for specific projects.
	It would not be possible to disaggregate how much the RIEPs support individual local councils and their representatives bodies.
	This Department has also provided funding, via the Community Development Foundation, to the Regional Empowerment Partnerships (REPs), to support local government of all types to help improve their empowerment and engagement practice. It would not be possible to disaggregate how much the REPs support different types of councils.

Regional Planning and Development: West Midlands

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at what phase of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy review an assessment of ecotown applications will be made.

Shahid Malik: The Examination in Public into the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy took place between 28 April and 24 June 2009. The Examination considered what role in principle eco-towns or new settlement proposals might have in providing for housing development in the region.
	The Panel Report is anticipated in September. Following this the Secretary of State aims to publish Proposed Changes to the Regional Spatial Strategy before the end of the year.

Rented Housing: Carbon Emissions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made towards the target for all new  (a) private sector and  (b) social rented housing to be zero carbon by 2016.

John Healey: The Government announced in July 2007 that all new homes will be zero carbon from 2016. Following a consultation paper released last December, I made a written ministerial statement to the House announcing further decisions on the definition of zero carbon homes on 16 July 2009  Official Report, columns 43-44WS. A summary of consultation responses and updated impact assessment were published on the same day see:
	www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/zerocarbonhomes/
	Government continue to support the transition to low and zero carbon homes in a number of ways:
	in my 16 July 2009 statement, I announced the first four pioneering locations for eco-towns in England and the publication of the planning policy statement on eco-towns. Eco-towns will demonstrate the highest levels of sustainability and will be zero carbon across all the town's buildings;
	the Technology Strategy Board is working with partners to enable it to harness the market for environmentally sustainable buildings, since 2004 investing £46 million in this area. Under its Low Impact Buildings Innovation Platform a further total of £50 million is now earmarked for allocation to research relevant to new build by 2011. This includes over £30 million of capability building work to be awarded over the next two years and up to £8.5 million in new build demonstration programmes;
	the Government's Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) provides a single national standard to guide industry in the design and construction of sustainable new homes. Recently, post-construction certificates were issued for the first homes built to Code level 6 (zero carbon achieved on-site or via private wire);
	the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Carbon Challenge programme aims to accelerate the home building industry's response to climate change by building homes that reach Code level 6. Four new communities are planned which will together provide around 1,700 zero carbon and highly sustainable homes. Work on the first site at Hanham Hall, near Bristol, is expected to start in late 2009;
	Budget 2009 announced a £400 million Kickstart Housing Delivery programme targeted at currently stalled sites, to support construction of high quality mixed tenure housing developments. This amount was subsequently increased under the Housing Pledge as part of Building Britain's Future last month. Homes built to higher levels of the Code are encouraged under this programme;
	my Department is providing funding support to the Zero Carbon Hub, the industry-led delivery body for zero carbon homes. The Hub reports to the 2016 Task Force, which I jointly chair with the Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation and which provides strategic oversight of our zero carbon homes policy;
	stamp duty land tax exemption or reduction is available for the first acquisition of a zero carbon home.
	In relation to social housing:
	social housing funded under the National Affordable Housing Programme is required to meet level 3 of the Code. The HCA is reviewing the timetable for requiring housing funded under this programme to be built to higher levels of the Code;
	Budget 2009 announced £100 million of new funding for local authorities to deliver new social housing at higher energy efficiency standards. This funding has been increased under the Housing Pledge to enable up a four-fold increase in new social homes to be built by local authorities.

Social Rented Housing: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of  (a) local authority and  (b) housing association homes in (i) Essex and (ii) Castle Point met the decent homes standard in each of the last five years.

Ian Austin: The following table outlines the proportion of  (a) local authority and  (b) housing association homes in (i) Essex and (ii) Castle Point that failed to meet the decent homes standard in each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Proportion of dwellings that are non-decent 
			   Percentage 
			   Local authority  Registered social landlords 
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Castle point 14.4 11.8 16.0 11.5 10.6 n/a 11.3 7.1 7.9 10.3 
			 Essex 33.7 32.7 30.9 26.9 18.9 n/a 7.6 7.3 5.7 19.5 
			  Source:  Annual returns, from all LAs that retain social housing stock, to Communities and Local Government and annual return from Registered Social Landlords.

Social Rented Housing: Standards

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many social homes in each region have not reached the Decent Homes standard; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of bringing such homes up to the standard.

Ian Austin: The following table provides the information requested:
	
		
			  Number of social sector non-decent dwellings as 1 March 2008 
			   Non-decent dwellings  Total stock  Percentage non-decent 
			 North East 72,000 274,000 26 
			 North West 94,000 576,000 16 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 104,000 424,000 24 
			 East Midlands 53,000 305,000 17 
			 West Midlands 62,000 424,000 15 
			 East of England 54,000 387,000 14 
			 London 175,000 786,000 22 
			 South East 58,000 483,000 12 
			 South West 41,000 306,000 13 
			 England 714,000 3,965,000 18 
			  Source:  Annual returns, from all LAs that retain social housing stock, to Communities and Local Government and annual return from registered social landlords. 
		
	
	Landlord statistical returns show that the 18 per cent. of the social housing stock is non-decent compared to 38 per cent. in 2002.
	The cost per house of meeting the decent homes standard varies across the country and the Department does not collect that information. Some landlords are refurbishing the houses in their area above the decent homes standard. Any higher local standard, and how that is to be achieved, will be determined by local circumstances and the level of resources that can be delivered into the programme locally. The Government expect over £40 billion to have been spent on refurbishing council houses by 2010.

Temporary Accommodation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) disabled and  (b) elderly people were in temporary accommodation in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested is not held centrally.

Temporary Accommodation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) dependent children,  (b) expectant mothers and  (c) children aged (i) 16 and (ii) 17 years were in temporary accommodation in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Information is not collected or available in the form requested.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Atos

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of people who undertook a health test administered by Atos on behalf of her Department were scored at zero out of 15 in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: holding answer 3 July 2009
	The information is not held centrally and could be made available only at disproportionate cost. Decisions about the total points applicable from a work capability assessment or a personal capability assessment are made by Jobcentre Plus decision-makers in each case, taking account of the available evidence, including any evidence provided by the claimant in a work capability assessment questionnaire, a personal capability assessment questionnaire, the claimant's general practitioner, and advice provided to Jobcentre Plus by the Atos health care professional. Although the decision-maker records the points scored in each individual case, there is no central record of how many people score zero points.

Attendance Allowance

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of total expenditure on benefits payments attendance allowance accounted for in  (a) 1980,  (b) 1997,  (c) 2001,  (d) 2005 and  (e) 2008.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Percentage of DWP total benefit expenditure accounted for by attendance allowance 
			   Percentage 
			 1980-81 1.3 
			 1997-98 3.0 
			 2001-02 3.1 
			 2005-06 3.3 
			 2008-09 estimated out-turn 3.4 
			  Note: DWP total benefit expenditure excludes benefits that are no longer within the remit of DWP. Child benefit and war pensions have been excluded.  Source: DWP accounting data

Children: Maintenance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanism is in place for the recovery of child maintenance payments from British national absent parents who are resident overseas.

Helen Goodman: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner. The Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what mechanism is in place for the recovery of child maintenance payments from British national absent parents who are resident overseas.
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission retains the power to pursue a non-resident parent who moves overseas, but only where the non-resident is regarded as being habitually resident in the UK. The criteria for establishing jurisdiction when a non-resident parent leaves the United Kingdom is described at Section 44 of the Child Support Act. There is no distinction made between an EU state and a non-EU state.
	There are certain cases where the nature of employment will bring the non-resident parent under the jurisdiction of the Commission, for example those employed in the Civil Service or a member of the naval, military or air forces. The Commission may also have jurisdiction where a non-resident parent is employed by a company that is prescribed in Child Support (Maintenance Arrangement and Jurisdiction Regulations) 1992, Regulation 7A(2).
	The Ministry of Justice, however operates a system for administering international child and spousal maintenance cases where the non-resident parent can not be treated as habitually resident in the UK; this is known as the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (REMO).
	Where a parent with care applies to their local magistrates' court or family proceedings court, details of the maintenance liability can be referred to the foreign jurisdiction - where the non-resident parent now resides - whom will be able to apply their domestic collection and enforcement mechanisms in order to recover the amount due. They will then refer this money back to the UK REMO administrators.
	The UK has reciprocal maintenance agreements with over 100 states and territories.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many parents making payments to the Child Support Agency have their full liability reduced because they have responsibility for the care of their child for more than one night per week.

Helen Goodman: holding answer 8 July 2009
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many parents making payments to the Child Support Agency have their full liability reduced because they have responsibility for the care of their child for more than one night per week.
	The Agency estimates that at the end of March 2009, there were around 180,000 cases across both schemes where the maintenance liability has been reduced to take into account a shared care arrangement between the non resident parent and parent with care.
	It should be noted that the current statutory maintenance scheme defines a shared care arrangement as one where a qualifying child spends at least 52 nights per year with the non-resident parent. However the original statutory maintenance scheme defined a shared care arrangement as one where the qualifying child spends two days or more per week with the non resident parent. The figure quoted above is based on these definitions.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what date she last met Mr. Damian McBride in the course of her official duties.

Yvette Cooper: I can confirm that I have not met with Mr. Damian McBride in the course of my ministerial duties.

Departmental Databases

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information databases her Department  (a) maintain and  (b) uses which do not contain personal information.

Jim Knight: The Department maintains a variety of large and small databases in order to process benefits, run the Department and deliver the range of services for which the Department is responsible. Those that contain personal information include: operational systems such as our Customer Information System; databases for research purposes; databases that contain staff-related resource management information and others that relate to the administration of specific benefits. Where personal information is stored and processed on such databases these comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) photocopiers,  (b) scanning devices and  (c) fax machines, excluding multi-function devices, there are in her Department; how many there were in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department had 5,243 photocopiers in April 2007; 4,952 in April 2008 and 4,294 in April 2009. 181 scanners and 1,377 fax machines have been ordered through the DWP IT catalogue since July and November 2007 respectively. Information on other orders and the total numbers in the Department are not available.
	The Department is currently undertaking a project to rationalise the Department's printers and photocopiers and introduce where ever possible multi-functional devises with the capability to print, copy, fax and scan. This initiative will lower the total cost of printing and copying in the Department, reduce our carbon footprint and provide better support for our staff.

Departmental Risk Assessment

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many investigations her Department's Risk Assessment Division carried out with external programme providers in each of the last five years; and how many resulted in  (a) prosecution,  (b) an administrative financial penalty,  (c) other further action and  (d) no further action.

Jim Knight: holding answer 9 July 2009
	Data in the format requested are only available from 2006-07.
	The figures are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007  1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008  1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009  1 April 2009 to present 
			 Number of investigations 26 34 15' 2(1) 
			 Prosecutions 0 0 0 0 
			 Other further action 13 14 4 0 
			 No further action 13 20 6 0 
			 (1) Five investigations in 2008-09 and two investigations in the current year to date are continuing and no conclusion has been reached. 
		
	
	All DWP contracts contain robust clauses that allow us to terminate or seek damages for breach. 'Administrative financial penalties' are not included in DWP contracts because penalty clauses, as such, are unenforceable through the courts. Contracts will be terminated where the breach of the contract terms is sufficiently serious.

Departmental Secondment

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees of her Department have been posted to work in offices of hon. Members of each political party in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: Civil servants may shadow MPs as part of a programme run by the industry and Parliament Trust. Details on numbers of civil servants from this Department that have had such an attachment is not held centrally.
	Civil servants are required to act in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Code.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in each region were referred from Jobcentre Plus to Progress2Work in 2008-09;
	(2)  how many people in each region were referred from Jobcentre Plus to Progress2Work-LinkUP in 2008-09.

Jim Knight: holding answer 8 July 2009
	The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Customers in each region who started on the progress2work and progress2work-Link UP following a referral by Jobcentre Plus, in the 2008-09 operational year 
			  Number 
			  Region  Starts onto progress2work  Starts onto progress2work-Link UP 
			 East Midlands 100 180 
			 East of England 0 200 
			 London 280 80 
			 North East 100 40 
			 North West 480 640 
			 Scotland 540 540 
			 South East 100 160 
			 South West 140 40 
			 Wales 100 60 
			 West Midlands 280 240 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 240 620 
			 Total 2,360 2,820 
			  Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 20. 2. Although the question has asked how many were referred by Jobcentre Plus in 2008-09 we can only say of those who started in 2008-09 how many were referred by Jobcentre Plus offices.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions progress2work/LinkUp Evaluation Database.

Employment Schemes

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of  (a) lone parents,  (b) incapacity benefit claimants and  (c) jobseeker's allowance claimants she estimates will be covered by the single personalised employment programme pilot scheme.

Jim Knight: holding answer 29 June 2009
	On 16 June 2009 we announced that we would pilot the Personalised Employment Programme in three Jobcentre Plus Districts: the London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight district and Thames Valley district
	These pilot areas will cover around 6 per cent. of benefit claimants across the eligible customer groups.

Employment Schemes

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes have been made to the single personalised employment programme pilot scheme since it was first announced; and when it is expected to commence.

Jim Knight: holding answer 29 June 2009
	In January 2009 the Department for Work and Pensions published a discussion paper on the next steps in implementing the Gregg Review. In this document the Government announced that the pilots would include parents with younger children in addition to jobseekers and those with health conditions or disabilities. The programme was also renamed and it is now known as the Personalised Employment Programme.
	Changes to the programme have not altered the roll-out date for the pilots, which are expected to commence in March 2011.

Employment Schemes

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the budget for  (a) the Future Jobs Fund,  (b) support to take an existing job in a key employment sector,  (c) work-focused training places and  (d) places on a community task force component of the Young Person's Guarantee is for (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12;
	(2)  what funding her Department has allocated for the delivery of  (a) the Community Task Force and  (b) additional training places provided under the Young Persons' Guarantee in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12;
	(3)  who in her Department is responsible for the delivery of the Community Task Force under the Young Person's Guarantee.

Jim Knight: The total funding for Young Person's Guarantee, which includes Future Jobs Fund, the Community Task Force, Sectoral Pathways and additional training, is £250 million for 2009-10 and £838 million for 2010-11. In addition, there is £20 million to support delivery through Jobcentre Plus. There is no funding allocated for 2011-12.
	The Community Task Force will be delivered by contracted providers. The procurement process is being led by the Department.

Employment Schemes

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for how long the Government's Young Person's Guarantee will be offered; and what steps the Government plans to take to fulfil the Guarantee after the closure of the Future Jobs Fund in March 2011.

Jim Knight: The Young Person's Guarantee and Future Jobs Fund will last from April 2009 to March 2011. Those who join the offer on the last date will continue until their placement ends.

Employment Schemes

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanism there is for provision of the community task force under the Young Person's Guarantee; who will provide task force places; for how long on average a participant will be on the task force; how much Government funding has been allocated for provision of the task force; what incentives providers will receive to secure job entries; and whether young people participating in the community task force will receive a training allowance in place of jobseeker's allowance.

Jim Knight: The Budget announced a Young Person's Guarantee; a guaranteed offer of a job, work experience placement or training for all jobseeker's allowance customers approaching 12 months of their claim.
	The Community Task Force is the work experience element of the Young Person's Guarantee. It will offer work-focused placements of benefit to the community, designed to move customers closer to the labour market.
	When the Young Person's Guarantee is introduced in January 2010, the Community Task Force will be offered on a voluntary basis to all customers not taking up another element of the guarantee. It is expected to become mandatory for all customers who do not take up another element from spring 2010. Placements will last up to six months while the scheme is voluntary, and three months when it becomes mandatory, with the option in the latter case for young people to stay on for a further three months on a voluntary basis.
	The Department for Work and Pensions will be contracting with external providers to provide these placements. The Community Task Force will use a standard funding model, comprising a service fee and outcome payment. The outcome payment will be paid to the provider when a customer finds sustained, paid employment.
	Customers taking part in the Community Task Force will be paid a training allowance, rather than jobseeker's allowance. However, they will still be expected to be actively looking for work and to leave the programme if they find paid employment.
	Funding for the Community Task Force is included in the Young Person's Guarantee funding and is not available as a separate figure. The budget for the Young Person's Guarantee is approximately £250 million for 2009-10 and £838 million for 2010-11.

Employment Schemes

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanism there is for provision of work-focused training places under the Young Person's Guarantee; who will provide such places; for how long on average a participant will receive training; how much government funding has been allocated for such places; what incentives providers will receive to secure job entries; and whether young people participating in such training will receive a training allowance rather than jobseeker's allowance.

Jim Knight: A range of public and private sector training providers will deliver the training element of the Young Person's Guarantee. Learners can access the training through their Jobcentre Plus personal adviser or by going direct to a provider.
	The length of training depends on the type of course that the participant enrols in. Shorter, sector specific training through Sector Routeways is designed to take up to eight weeks, providing more focused training for people closer to the labour market. Longer training from three to six months is designed for people who need a more significant and sustained boost to their skills.
	The budget for this training is £122,400,000 in total from 2009-11. The funding model for this offer, which will detail any provider incentives and training allowances, has not yet been finalised.

Employment Support Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of those who started claiming employment support allowance have moved into work since it came into force; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information on the number and proportion of people who have left employment and support allowance to move into work is not available at present.
	Employment and support allowance replaced incapacity benefit for new claims from 27 October 2008. The latest provisional headline figures available are for November 2008.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people she estimates will receive pensions under her Department's Financial Assistance Scheme; and of these how many she expects to have rights to do so based  (a) solely and  (b) partly on pre-1997 service.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 13 July 2009
	We estimate that the Financial Assistance Scheme will provide assistance payments to 147,000 members.
	Of these, it has been estimated that 66,000 members have pension rights based solely on pre-1997 service and 74,000 members have pension rights based partly on pre-1997 service. The remaining 7,000 have solely post 1997 service.

Foreign Workers

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the increase in  (a) people in employment and  (b) people of working age in employment between the third quarter for 1997 and (i) the third quarter for 2008 and (ii) the most recent quarter for which figures are available was accounted for by non-UK citizens.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the increase in  (a) people in employment and  (b) people of working age in employment between the third quarter for 1997 and (i) the third quarter for 2008 and (ii) the most recent quarter for which figures are available was accounted for by non-UK citizens. (286461)
	The information requested is shown in the attached tables. The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. They are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics Statistical Bulletin, including the migrant worker figures published every quarter, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Table 1: People aged 16 and over in employment by nationality: Three month period ending September 1997 and 2008; three month period ending March 2009-United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			Number in employment (thousand)  Change since 1997 Q3 (thousand)  Change since 1997 Q3 as proportion of total change (%) 
			UK nationals  Non-UK nationals  Total( 1)  UK nationals  Non-UK nationals  Total( 1)  UK nationals  Non-UK nationals  Total( 1) 
			 1997 Q3 25,721 986 26,707 - - - - - - 
			 2008 Q3 27,203 2,323 29,533 1,482 1,337 2,825 52 47 100 
			 2009 Q1 26,763 2,357 29,128 1,042 1,372 2,421 43 57 100 
			 (1) Includes those whose nationality was not known. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table  2 : People  of working age( 1)  in employment by nationality: Three month period ending September 1997 and 2008; three month period ending March 2009-United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			Number in employment (thousand)  Change since 1997 Q3 (thousand)  Change since 1997 Q3 as proportion of total change (%) 
			UK nationals  Non-UK nationals  Total( 2)  UK nationals  Non-UK nationals  Total( 2)  UK nationals  Non-UK nationals  Total( 2) 
			 1997 Q3 24,928 964 25,893 - -- - - - - 
			 2008 Q3 25,928 2,279 28,214 1,000 1,315 2,321 43 57 100 
			 2009 Q1 25,454 2,313 27,775 526 1,348 1,882 28 52 100 
			 (1) Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59. (2) Includes those whose nationality was not known.  Source:  Labour Force Survey 
		
	
	It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels mobile home sites etc.)

Future Jobs Fund

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobs are proposed to be created by bids for the Future Jobs Fund in total.

Jim Knight: The Future Jobs Fund will create 150,000 new jobs, of which we will specifically target 50,000 in areas of high unemployment.

Future Jobs Fund

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the procedure will be for  (a) individuals and  (b) businesses to apply for funding from the Future Jobs Fund.

Jim Knight: The Future Jobs Fund is a fund of around £1 billion to support the creation of jobs for long-term unemployed young people and others who face significant disadvantage in the labour market.
	Bids for funding can come from anyone, but we have a strong preference for partnership bids. We expect the majority of bids to the Future Jobs Fund to be led by local authorities, sub-regional, city region and local partnerships, or by national or local public sector and third sector bodies. We published the invitation to bid on 13 May, and had received over 200 bids by 30 June, which we are currently assessing. Up-to-date guidance on how to bid is available from the Future Jobs Fund website at:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/futurejobsfund
	We expect that in most cases eligible candidates will be referred to employers by Jobcentre Plus. In some cases individuals may self-present to the employer, or may be identified by them directly. In these situations, Jobcentre Plus will need to confirm an individual's eligibility. Future Jobs Fund employers will be encouraged to sign a local employment partnership with Jobcentre Plus.

Health and Safety Executive: Reorganisation

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many copies of the consultation paper on proposed changes to the Nuclear Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive have been printed; what methods have been used to publicise the consultation; and what financial impact assessment of the proposed changes has been undertaken.

Jonathan R Shaw: The joint Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)/Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) consultation on the restructuring of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Nuclear Directorate was launched on 30 June 2009 and will run until 22 September 2009. A total of 170 copies of the consultation document have been printed. Copies of the document are available from Publications Orderline, Admail 528, London SW1W 8YT. It is also available electronically via the DECC website at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/hse_restruct/hse_restruct.aspx
	A written ministerial statement announcing the launch of the consultation was made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on 30 June. The consultation was publicised through a press notice and on the DWP, DECC and HSE websites. Copies of the consultation document were sent electronically to around 2,200 contacts.
	A partial impact assessment, which includes an assessment of the financial impact of the proposed restructuring, was published as part of the consultation document.

Health and Safety: Teachers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-fatal major injuries which were sustained in the workplace by  (a) secondary,  (b) primary and nursery and  (c) special needs education teaching professionals resulted in legal proceedings in each of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: There are no prosecution cases recorded on the Health and safety Executive's database resulting from reported non-fatal major injuries to individuals in the teaching profession in the last five years.

Health Professions

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2009,  Official Report, column 684W, on social security benefits: medical examinations, how many of the health care professionals against whom complaints were made under the heading claimants experiences were the subject of more than one complaint and how many health care professionals have been  (a) disciplined and  (b) dismissed.

Jim Knight: Further to the answer of 22 June 2009, there were 15 health care professionals against whom complaints were made under the heading claimants experiences were the subject of more than one complaint.
	The number of health care professionals that have been  (a) disciplined is nil and  (b) dismissed is nil.

Incapacity Benefit

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate her Department has made of the average cost of re-assessment of an existing incapacity benefit claimant as part of the programme to migrate the current incapacity benefit population onto the employment and support allowance by 2013; and how much her Department plans to spend on assessing the existing incapacity benefit population in  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11,  (c) 2011-12 and  (d) 2012-13.

Jonathan R Shaw: The average cost of a medical assessment for an incapacity benefits claimant is commercially sensitive and can not be provided.
	Planned expenditure on medical assessments for existing incapacity benefits customers is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Medical assessment expenditure 
			   £ million 
			 2009-10 20 
			 2010-11 45 
			 2011-12 35 
			 2012-13 35 
			  Notes: 1, Figures include the planned expenditure on reassessing incapacity benefits claimants under the Personal Capability Assessment and the additional funding to reassess incapacity benefits customers under the Work Capability Assessment. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £5 million.

Industrial Injuries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will estimate the average weekly saving to the public purse of an individual delaying making a claim for industrial injury benefit for beat knee and osteoarthritis of the knee.

Jonathan R Shaw: Osteoarthritis of the knee was added to the list of diseases covered by the industrial injuries scheme on 13 July 2009. The disease prescribed disease A6 (commonly known as 'Beat Knee') has been prescribed since 1958.
	Any person who feels they may be eligible to claim for either disease should do so as soon as possible. Awards may be backdated up to three months. If a person makes a claim for osteoarthritis of the knee within three months of 13 July 2009, any award may be backdated to that date only, as no payment can be made for the period before the law changed.

Industrial Injuries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will make available expert advisers from her Department to inform the public of beat knee and osteoarthritis of the knee industrial injury claims at public meetings organised by hon. Members.

Jonathan R Shaw: The communication strategy for osteoarthritis of the knee has been deliberately targeted at the most effective means of reaching the mining community. My officials have met with senior representatives of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers (NACODS), and the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM) at their headquarters to explain what the changes mean for their members, and have contacted the miners' pension schemes to ensure all retired miners would be aware of the change. Press releases and posters containing contact details for advice on claiming have supported that strategy and its effectiveness has already been demonstrated by the numbers of claims already received. I am satisfied with our publicity arrangements, and do not plan to routinely make officials available to attend public meetings.
	Prescribed Disease A6 (commonly known as Beat Knee) has been covered by the IIDB scheme since 1958. It is well known and we have no plans to further publicise this disease.

Industrial Injuries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provision her Department is making with Atos Origin to allow local and cost-effective medical examinations for beat knee and osteoarthritis of the knee industrial injury claims.

Jonathan R Shaw: Atos Origin IT Services Ltd. (Atos Healthcare) has Medical Examination Centres (MEC) across the country. All DWP customers claiming Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) for beat knee and osteoarthritis of the knee will be asked to attend the MEC nearest to their home. In addition the DWP do not require customers to travel further than 90 minutes, each way, by public transport. Where there is no MEC within 90 minutes of a customer's home address, Atos Healthcare can make alternative arrangements.
	Discussions are under way between the DWP and Atos Healthcare to secure the best value for money solution to deliver this new requirement.

Industrial Injuries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many industrial injury claims for beat knee and osteoarthritis of the knee were submitted in advance of the July start date for compensation payments.

Jonathan R Shaw: 4,834 claims for osteoarthritis of the knee were received before the law came into force on 13 July 2009 to include this disease in the industrial injuries scheme.
	Prescribed Disease A6, commonly known as 'Beat Knee', has been on the list of diseases covered by the scheme since 1958. There were 880 new claims for Prescribed Disease A6 received during the period October 2007 to September 2008. This is the latest full year validated figures held for that disease.
	 Source:
	Clerical Count 100 per cent. data

Industrial Injuries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance her Department has issued to claimants of industrial injury benefit for beat knee or osteoarthritis of the knee on charges levied by claims handlers.

Jonathan R Shaw: Osteoarthritis of the knee was added to the industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme on 13 July 2009. We have made it clear in our publicity that customers do not need to involve solicitors and they should contact Jobcentre Plus industrial injury disablement benefit offices direct for advice about claiming.
	Prescribed Disease A6 (commonly known as Beat Knee) has been covered by the industrial injury disablement benefit scheme since 1958. The Jobcentre Plus leaflet covering industrial injury disablement benefit advises individuals to contact their local Jobcentre Plus industrial injury disablement benefit regional centre if they require more information or want to make a claim.

Industrial Injuries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many advertisements her Department has placed to explain industrial injury benefit claims for beat knee and osteoarthritis of the knee in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: We have not placed any paid-for advertisements in the last 12 months. We have, however, produced 500 posters to publicise the new entitlement to industrial injuries disablement benefit for miners with osteoarthritis of the knee. These have been distributed to MPs in their constituencies, and the major miners' unions to distribute through their networks (including National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers [NACODS], Union of Democratic Mineworkers [UDM], and National Union of Mineworkers [NUM]).
	In addition, we have sent articles to pension trustees of the above unions to include in their newsletters and other communications. We have also placed an article in September's edition of Touchbase, the Department for Work and Pension's newsletter for its advisers.
	We have worked with national and local media outlets to explain the change and achieved free coverage in the Daily Mirror, on the BBC news website, and throughout the country, particularly in mining and former mining communities, including the  Newcastle Journal, Northern Echo, Hartlepool Mail, Sunderland Echo, Wigan Observer, Warwickshire Telegraph, Coventry Telegraph, Nuneaton News, Staffordshire Newsletter and the Sheffield Star.
	The Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Kitty Ussher), visited the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield, along with representatives from NUM and NACODS. The visit was covered by the  Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Star and Sheffield Telegraph newspapers, as well as BBC Look North and BBC Radio Leeds.
	My hon. Friend wrote a letter advising potential applicants in South Wales to apply direct to Jobcentre Plus, after local solicitors were found to be targeting miners. The letter was published in the  Bridgend  Porthcawl Gem, South Wales Echo, Western Mail and the Cynon Valley Leader.

Industrial Injuries

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claim forms for industrial injuries disablement benefit in relation to beat knee or osteoarthritis of the knee have been  (a) ordered from and  (b) returned to her Department by claims handlers working for the company BCP.

Jonathan R Shaw: Jobcentre Plus does not keep information about the number of industrial injuries disablement benefit claim forms ordered by and returned from claims handlers and individual organisations.

Jobcentre Plus

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will instruct Jobcentre Plus staff to seek to schedule regular meetings with jobseekers in part-time work to take place on days when they are not regularly employed.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking if she will issue guidance to Jobcentre Plus that it should seek to schedule regular meetings with jobseekers in part-time work to take place on days when they are not regularly employed. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Regular face-to-face contact with people is the most effective method of helping them find work quickly, and ensuring they remain entitled to payment of benefit by demonstrating they are actively seeking work. People claiming Jobseeker's Allowance are therefore usually required to attend their nearest Jobcentre for regular jobsearch reviews and more in-depth interviews with a personal adviser if they do not find work quickly. Where someone is undertaking part-time work we will make every effort to make alternative arrangements to accommodate their part time working patterns. We will, however, ensure that the guidance is clarified in this respect.

Jobcentre Plus

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when the results of the next Jobcentre Plus staff survey will be reported; and if she will place in the Library a copy of that report;
	(2)  if she will place in the Library a copy of the results of each of the three most recent Jobcentre Plus staff surveys.

Jim Knight: Copies of the three most recent sets of survey results for Jobcentre Plus, from the Department for Work and Pensions Surveys conducted in 2009, 2008 and 2006, have been placed in the Library. There was no staff survey in 2007 as surveys were conducted in November 2006 and January 2008.
	As part of the Cabinet Office cross-Government employee engagement programme the next staff survey of Jobcentre Plus, which is part of the Department for Work and Pensions Survey, will take place in October/November 2009. Results will be available in January/February 2010. The results will be placed in the Library.

Jobcentre Plus: Buildings

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether her Department consulted disability organisations on the most recent programme of refurbishment to Jobcentre Plus offices;
	(2)  whether the tendering contract for the most recent refurbishment to the Jobcentre Plus offices stipulated the provision of accessible seating for elderly and disabled people in Jobcentre Plus offices.

Jim Knight: holding answer 3 July 2009
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking: whether her Department consulted disability organisations prior to the most recent programme of refurbishment to Jobcentre Plus offices and whether the tendering contract for the most recent refurbishment to the Jobcentre Plus offices stipulated the provision of accessible seating in Jobcentre Plus offices. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	During the programme to roll out Jobcentre Plus offices, in the period 2002 to 2006, Jobcentre Plus worked in partnership with the Department's Diversity and Equality specialist, to ensure the changes met the needs of all our customers. The Jobcentre Plus Project developed a Jobcentre Plus Environmental Guide (JPEG) in association with the project architects which referenced all relevant external legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). DDA requires all providers of public services to ensure that services to customers can be accessed by all, whether that is in regard to the physical office environments or by other means. The JPEG was reviewed throughout the rollout programme to ensure compliance with the Act. This was reflected both in the standards and specifications deployed in the physical refurbishment of our offices and in the design of specific components.
	The tendering exercise for the national roll out of Jobcentre Plus offices between 2002 and 2006 identified a range of customer seating which complied with statutory requirements. The scope of the tenders included a range of design options that took account of our business-related Health and Safety considerations and also met key customer needs such as comfort, visibility and ease of use. Consultation with the Department's Diversity and Equality specialists provided Jobcentre Plus with assurances that the broadest range of customer requirements would be met.
	As part of the planning for delivery of services through the new Jobcentre Plus network, each District drew up a local service delivery plan which was the subject of consultation with a range of local stakeholders, including customer representatives. Customer Service Directors have recently been asked to review their existing service delivery arrangements in meeting the challenge of the current economic climate, taking account of the planned welfare reform changes for the next two to three years.
	This exercise has identified that a number of Jobcentre Plus offices currently face capacity pressures. These pressures will be met through a range of solutions. This includes making our services more accessible to customers by providing a range of support through outreach, often delivering advisory and other support on partners' premises. We are supplementing these measures by operating extended opening hours in some locations where the need for this is identified locally, including some offices opening to the public on Saturday. In the light of the increase in customer demand we have embarked on a programme to convert or extend our existing buildings where necessary, deploying existing components including similar seating to that already installed as part of the 2002-2006 roll out of Jobcentre Plus offices.
	However, we will only acquire new space where all other measures are insufficient.

Jobcentre Plus: Buildings

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much her Department has spent on projects to refurbish Jobcentre Plus offices since 2001.

Jim Knight: holding answer 3 July 2009
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to respond to your question asking how much her Department has spent on projects to refurbish Jobcentre Plus offices since 2001. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus came into being in April 2002. The refurbishment of Jobcentre Plus offices was carried out over five years as part of the £1.9 billion rollout of the Jobcentre Plus office network, which included estates refurbishment costs of £782 million.

Jobcentre Plus: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rate of  (a) absence and  (b) absence resulting from injury at work was among Jobcentre Plus employees in (i) Essex and (ii) Castle Point in each of the last five years; what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of such absences; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the rate of (a) absence and (b) absence resulting from injury at work was among Jobcentre Plus employees in (i) Essex and (ii) Castle Point in each of the last five years; and what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of these absences. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The system we use to monitor sick absence is a relatively new system so I am only able to provide data from May 2007 to June 2009. I have therefore detailed below the average working days lost per member of staff in Jobcentre Plus in Essex between June 2007 and May 2008, and between June 2008 and May 2009 along with the associated financial cost. I am unable to provide you with details for Castle Point as we do not record them for this area specifically.
	
		
			   Average work  days lost to sickness  (in days)  Total cost  of sickness days  lost (£) 
			 June 2008 to May 2009 8.79 964,874 
			 June 2007 to May 2008 11.17 1,072,866 
		
	
	The level of sickness absence data that Jobcentre Plus collects does not allow us to identify specific work related injuries as the cause of sickness absence.
	Jobcentre Plus is very aware of the negative impact of sickness absence on customer service and is committed to improving performance in this area. Indeed, our strategies are delivering considerable success, with the latest data confirming the improving trend we have seen over the last 16 months. We remain committed to securing further improvements.
	In addition, we are embarking upon a major health and wellbeing programme across all of our sites. The programme provides staff with a wealth of information and guidance to support healthier lifestyles. It gives them access to a confidential on-line health and wellbeing assessment and delivers targeted solutions to support the individual. The programme also provides managers at our Jobcentres with comprehensive information about the potential health risks to staff, ensuring specific preventative action is taken to address the issues.
	My District Manager for Essex, Neil Brettell, will be happy to talk to you further if you have any further questions. He can be contacted on 01245 214242, by post at Government Buildings, Beeches Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2RT or by email at Neil.Brettell@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Jobcentre Plus: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobs have been advertised at customer-facing Jobcentre Plus units in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point in each of the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: All Jobcentre Plus offices have access to all vacancies advertised by Jobcentre Plus. Each office has jobpoints that allow jobseekers to search for jobs by various criteria including location. Therefore jobseekers using the Jobcentre Plus offices in Essex and Castle Point will be able to access the same vacancies as would a jobseeker in any other part of the country.
	The number of vacancies advertised for Essex and the Castle Point constituency in the latest 12 months for which data are available are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of notified vacancies  Number of live unfilled vacancies 
			   Essex  Castle point  Essex  Castle point 
			 June 2008 8,144 331 6,606 331 
			 July 2008 6,706 270 6,662 366 
			 August 2008 8,203 210 6,633 259 
			 September 2008 6,299 263 5,939 253 
			 October 2008 6,864 263 6,185 318 
			 November 2008 6,855 180 5,803 188 
			 December 2008 3,923 135 4,311 168 
			 January 2009 2,241 108 2,687 103 
			 February 2009 6,150 329 3,890 164 
			 March 2009 4,782 254 3,954 226 
			 April 2009 4,534 231 3,758 125 
			 May 2009 5,503 246 4,112 241 
			  Notes: 1. Interpretation of these data need to take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. These figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate developments in the labour market. A more detailed explanation is available on the nomis website. 2. Notified vacancies include any speculative placings recorded by Jobcentre Plus. Datasets from May 2006 may reflect substantially reduced levels of speculative placings as part of the notified series. Consequently, care should be taken in interpreting time-series data. 3. The stocks of unfilled vacancies reflect more accurately job opportunities available via Jobcentre Plus. In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures on live vacancies is recommended (that is, excluding suspended vacancies), and this is the default option. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have already been filled or are otherwise no longer open to recruits, due to natural time lags in procedures for following up vacancies with employers. 4. Data are unrounded. 5. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) have been available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.  Source: Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System.

Jobcentre Plus: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether free at the point of use telephones are available to Jobcentre Plus customers in each jobcentre in Essex.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether free at the point of use telephones are available to Jobcentre Plus customers in each Jobcentre in Essex. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	We have Customer Access Telephones in all our Jobcentres in Essex. These telephones are free for our customers to access a range of services. They are primarily used to make enquires about benefit claims and other services offered by us. They can also be used to contact employers and other agencies that can help customers find work. On request we can also make other telephones available, at no cost, for customers to telephone prospective employers or make other relevant calls.

Jobcentre Plus: Finance

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much and what proportion of its annual budget Jobcentre Plus plans to spend on  (a) staff and  (b) Jobcentre Plus programmes in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Jim Knight: holding answer 8 June 2009
	 The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the right hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question asking how much and what proportion of its annual budget Jobcentre Plus plans to spend on (a) staff and (b) Jobcentre Plus programmes in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The available information is provided below.
	Employment programme budgets are not held by Jobcentre Plus but are controlled centrally by DWP.
	
		
			  Jobcentre Plus administration budget 
			   £ million 
			 2009/10 3,683 
			 2010/11 3,951 
			  Source: DWP Three Year Business Plan 
		
	
	Based on our indicative plans for 2009/10, our best estimate is that approximately 70 per cent of the Jobcentre Plus administration budget will be spent on staff costs. The remaining 30 per cent will be spent on other non staff related costs. Detailed planning for 2010/11 has not yet commenced but it is expected that a similar proportion will also be spent on staff costs in that year.

Jobcentre Plus: Finance

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on which programmes the planned additional £3 billion funding allocation to Jobcentre Plus will be spent.

Jim Knight: The Department was allocated £1.7 billion additional funding in the Budget 2009 in addition to the £1.3 billion announced in the pre-Budget report in November 2008 to fund additional volumes. The funding will be used to support Jobcentre Plus activity and to fund additional long-term employment programmes.
	The funding for long-term employment programmes is £620 million as announced in Budget 2009, plus £350 million announced at the pre-Budget report 2008. Most of the provision for the long-term unemployed will be provided through the Flexible New Deal over the next two years. However phased implementation means that there will still be some expenditure on New Deal and Employment Zones programmes over the next two years.

Jobcentre Plus: Job Description

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance her Department gives to jobcentres on procedures to ensure that job advertisements placed with them are genuine.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question asking what guidance is given to jobcentres on procedures to ensure that job advertisements placed with them are genuine. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The following guidance is provided to Jobcentre Plus staff when handling vacancies from employers to ensure they are genuine. When advertising with Jobcentre Plus employers must provide us with:
	a full and clear job description (which is lawful and unambiguous to our customers)
	a rate of pay equal to or more than that stated in the National Minimum Wage Act
	a guarantee that all other terms and conditions of employment are lawful; and
	an assurance that all jobs are available on an open and fair basis to jobseeking customers using our services.
	To ensure wherever possible that the employers and their vacancies are genuine we also require:
	a full postal address
	a landline telephone number
	contact name, position with the company and direct telephone number
	the type of business they are involved in
	the number of employees they have at the individual site; and
	a verbal/written National Minimum Wage assurance.
	To ensure vacancies advertised by recruitment agencies are genuine, the recruitment agency must sign a service level agreement agreeing to the terms under which Jobcentre Plus will advertise their vacancies. This agreement specifies that all vacancies must be genuine and the agency must supply details of the employer on whose behalf they are advertising.
	Jobcentre Plus also contacts all employers 48 hours after their vacancy was advertised to discuss the vacancy and this provides additional assurance that the employer and vacancy are genuine.

Jobcentre Plus: Opening Hours

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Jobcentre Plus offices operate extended opening hours.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the right hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Jobcentre Plus offices operate extended opening hours. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Extending opening hours is one of the ways in which we are responding to the demands on our service. The precise numbers of offices operating extended hours will vary week by week depending on the need.
	However, as an example, between 15 and 28 June a total of 301 Jobcentres opened to customers on Saturday, 21 opened to customers on Sunday and 63 opened for extra hours during the week. Our Service Delivery plans are kept under constant review to make sure we offer the best possible service to meet the needs of our customers.

Jobcentre Plus: Qualifications

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether she has made an assessment of the merits of requiring minimum qualifications for Jobcentre Plus personal advisers; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Ruth Owen:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question to James Purnell asking whether he had made an assessment of the merits of requiring minimum qualifications for Jobcentre Plus personal advisers. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mel Groves as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. As Mel Groves is currently on annual leave, I am replying in his absence.
	I have recently commissioned a review to develop an accreditation strategy for a number of key job roles across Jobcentre Plus, which will include the personal adviser role. The results of this review will be available in the Autumn.
	Currently, within the recruitment process all Jobcentre Plus personal advisers are required to meet a minimum entry standard. This is assessed through testing literacy and numeracy. Successful candidates will then go to the second stage interview where the individual's relevant competencies are examined.
	Once recruited, in addition to an internal learning programme we invest in the S/NVQ programme where personal advisers work towards an externally recognised qualification in 'advice and guidance'. This is not a mandatory requirement.

Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps her Department is taking to ensure the provision of access to freephone Government helplines in Jobcentre Plus offices for benefit claimants; and if she will make a statement.

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will instruct Jobcentre Plus to ensure all calls to social fund offices are free of charge to customers using either landline or mobile telephones.

Jim Knight: The Department believes strongly that calls to its 0800 numbers should be free to mobile phone users as they already are to callers from landlines. Officials from the Department have accordingly held discussions with the Telephone Helplines Association, and with mobile telephone operators, seeking to secure the Department's customers a free service when contacting the Department's 0800 numbers via a mobile phone. These discussions are continuing.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will estimate the proportion of jobseeker's allowance claimants of each age who have skills levels equivalent to less than level 2.

Jim Knight: holding answer 15 July 2009
	The information requested is not available.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Fraud

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for jobseeker's allowance were rejected owing to fraudulent documents being used in support of such applications in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: We do not record the number of applications for jobseeker's allowance (JSA) rejected due to fraudulent documents being used. However, we can provide reassurance that rigorous checks of all documentation are undertaken when an application to JSA is made. If there is a suspicion about the validity of the documentation produced, the case is referred to our Fraud Investigation Service. The claim will not be put into payment until the questions around the documentation are resolved.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Personation

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals have been found to be claiming jobseeker's allowance under a false or stolen identity in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not available.

Lone Parents: Employment

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of the lone parents who were moved from income support onto jobseeker's allowance as a result of changes to benefit rules in December 2008 are in employment; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Due to unavoidable time lags in the collation and assessment of our benefits and employment data, the Department cannot provide this information at this point in time. Our comprehensive evaluation of Lone Parent Obligations will address benefit transitions and employment outcomes and this information will be available in due course.

New Deal Schemes: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point have participated in a New Deal programme in each of the last three years.

Jim Knight: The figures for New Deal starters in Essex and in Castle Point are shown in the tables:
	
		
			  (a) Essex 
			   2006  2007  2008 
			 New deal for young people-starters (spells) 2,450 2,640 2,590 
			 New deal 25+-starters (spells) 1,260 2,140 1,740 
			 New deal for lone parents-starters (spells) 2,240 2.940 4,730 
			 New deal for disabled people-starters (spells) 930 940 1,070 
			 New deal 50+-starters (individuals) 260 130 100 
			 New deal for partners-starters (individuals) 10 10 40 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Castle Point 
			   2006  2007  2008 
			 New deal for young people-starters (spells) 120 130 150 
			 New deal 25+-starters (spells) 60 90 60 
			 New deal for lone parents-starters (spells) 130 180 330 
			 New deal for disabled people-starters (spells) 100 80 80 
			 New deal 50+-starters (individuals) 10 10 - 
			 New deal for partners-starters (individuals) - - 10 
			  Notes: 1. Westminster Parliamentary Constituency (post May 2005) is allocated using the ONS postcode directory and customer's postcode. 2. Time series-year of starting: the calendar year of starting the New Deal. Latest data is to February 2009. 3. The measure used for New Deal 50 Plus and New Deal for Partners is Starters (individuals) as spells are not available in these cases. 4. Since June 2008, the New Deal for Disabled People has ceased to operate as a national programme. 5. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate. Figures are available at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/tabtool_nd.asp

New Deal: Pathways to Work

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what  (a) criminal and  (b) administrative penalties are available in respect of contractors for work under the (i) New Deal and (ii) Pathways to Work programmes found to have defrauded her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: All DWP Welfare to Work contracts, including Pathways to Work and New Deal programmes, include mandatory clauses outlining the remedies where contractor fraud is committed. Remedies range from a formal warning with the recovery of any amounts paid by the Department in respect of any fraud or financial irregularity and damages that are appropriate through to termination of contract. Contracts will be terminated where the breach of the contract terms is sufficiently serious.
	DWP deals with minor irregularities internally. Where the Department believes the matter is more serious, and where there may be sufficient evidence for a prosecution, the matter will be referred to the police.
	DWP will always investigate any allegations and take action where there is sufficient evidence for us to do so.

New Deal: Pathways to Work

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many investigations her Department is undertaking into contracts for  (a) New Deal and  (b) Pathways to Work.

Jim Knight: The Department is undertaking four investigations into contracts for New Deal and one investigation into contracts for Pathways to Work.

Pension Credit: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in  (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and  (b) the London Borough of Bexley have received pension credit in each year since its inception.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			  H ousehold recipients of pension credit 
			  As at November each year  Bexleyheath and Crayford parliamentary constituency  Bexley local authority 
			 2003 2,030 5,280 
			 2004 2,690 7,020 
			 2005 2,810 7,250 
			 2006 2,820 7,340 
			 2007 2,780 7,360 
			 2008 2,770 7,390 
			  Notes: 1. The number of households in receipt are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim Pension Credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent data

Pension Credit: Derbyshire

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in  (a) Derbyshire and  (b) West Derbyshire have received pension credit in each year since its inception.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			  Household recipients of pension credit 
			  As at November each year  Derbyshire local authority  West Derbyshire parliamentary constituency 
			 2003 25,700 2,470 
			 2004 34,090 3,400 
			 2005 35,140 3,540 
			 2006 35,420 3,590 
			 2007 35,120 3,510 
			 2008 34,800 3,560 
			  Notes: 1. The number of households in receipt are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.  Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data

Pension Credit: North East

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension credit recipients live in Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency.

Angela Eagle: As at November 2008, there were 5,230 households in receipt of pension credit in Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency.
	 Notes:
	1. The number of households in receipt are rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.
	 Source:
	DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.

Pension Service: Internet

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many upgrades have been made to the Pension Service's state pension forecast e-service system since September 2008; when each upgrade was made; for how long the online form was unavailable as a result of each upgrade; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Since September 2008 there have been three upgrades of the online state pension forecasting service.
	To implement these upgrades, the online service was unavailable as follows:
	From 00.00 on 24 October 2008 to 07:00 on 27 October 2008
	From 17:00 on 23 January 2009 to 07:00 on 26 January 2009
	From 19:00 on 3 April 2009 to 01:00 on 4 April 2009
	Times are given using the 24 hour clock.

Pensioners: Council Tax

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will make an assessment of the effect on the disposable income and quality of life of pensioners in receipt of pension credit of changes in council tax levels over the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: Pension credit was introduced in October 2003. Between then and 2007-08 (the latest data available) average council tax liability for pension credit recipients has remained the same at around 7 per cent. of net income.
	 Notes:
	1. Receipt of the guarantee credit element of pension credits brings entitlement to full help with a council tax bill through council tax benefit.
	2. Based on the family resources survey and as such subject to a degree of sampling and non-sampling error.

Pensioners: Poverty

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will estimate the number of pensioners that would be lifted out of poverty if take-up of means-tested benefits was 100 per cent.; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Our latest estimates show that if there were 100 per cent. take-up of all income related benefits by pensioners entitled to them the number of pensioners below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income, after housing costs, would fall by around 700,000, after housing costs have been taken into account, based on 2008-09 benefit rates.

Pensioners: Social Security Benefits

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average monetary value of benefits in kind provided by her Department was to  (a) single pensioners and  (b) pensioner couples in York in respect of (i) NHS services, (ii) social services, (iii) travel concessions, (iv) television licences, (v) insulation and home repairs and improvements grants and (vi) other services in each year since 1996-97.

Angela Eagle: A wide range of services and benefits in kind are available to older people and these are administered both centrally and locally. As a result, the information is not available in the format requested: some information is not collected and some could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information which is available is given as follows.
	 (i) NHS services
	People aged 60 and over are able to claim free prescriptions and eye tests on the grounds of age. Detailed information on prescription charges is not held in the format requested.
	Free NHS sight tests were made available to people aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. Information on the average value of NHS sight tests provided to people aged 60 and over within the area of the former York and Selby primary care trust is only available on a consistent basis for the three years 2003-04 to 2005-06 and is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  Number of free NHS sight tests given to people aged 60 and over  Estimated cost of NHS sight tests to people aged 60 and over (£) 
			 2003-04 26,254 453,144 
			 2004-05 26,619 474,351 
			 2005-06 25,057 460,798 
		
	
	PCTs were restructured in October 2006 and no equivalent data for 2006-07 are available. Information for 2007-08 is available for the North Yorkshire and York PCT area and is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  Number of free NHS sight tests given to people aged 60 and over  Estimated cost of NHS sight tests to people aged 60 and over (£) 
			 2007-08 88,428 1,708,429 
		
	
	NHS optical vouchers and free dental treatment may additionally be available to individuals in receipt of certain qualifying benefits, or if they have been assessed as eligible for assistance under the NHS Low Income Scheme. Information on the value of such NHS services is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	 (ii) Social services
	The following table shows the gross current expenditure by York council on social services for people aged 65 or over from 1996-97 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Gross current expenditure( 1)  by York council on older people (aged 65 or over) 
			  1 April to 31 March  Gross current expenditure (£000) 
			 1996-97 15,200 
			 1997-98 16,300 
			 1998-99 17,400 
			 1999-2000 18,700 
			 2000-01 19,100 
			 2001-02 19,400 
			 2002-03(2) 23,500 
			 2003-04(3) 21,900 
			 2004-05 25,600 
			 2005-06 27,500 
			 2006-07 27,600 
			 2007-08 27,600 
			 (1) Gross expenditure includes income from client contributions, but excludes capital charges and certain income items which count as expenditure elsewhere in the public sector, such as contributions from primary care trusts. This is to avoid double counting within the aggregate public sector accounts of the money involved. (2) From 2002-03 onwards, the data includes clients who transferred to council with social services responsibilities (CSSR) support on 8 April 2002, who were formally in receipt of higher rates of income support under the Department for Work and Pensions preserved rights scheme. (3) From 2003-04, additional funding was made available to CSSRs via the Supporting People grant.  Source: R03 and PSS EX1 returns 
		
	
	 (iii) Travel concessions
	The statutory minimum travel concession, introduced in April 2008, gives those aged 60 or over and eligible disabled people free off-peak local bus travel in any part of England. The Government provide around £1 billion a year to fund the concession.
	Travel concession schemes are provided through local authorities, which have flexibility to enhance their schemes to offer more than the statutory minimum, so there are local variations in what is offered and take-up of concessionary travel also varies from one area to another. Therefore it is not possible to quantify the value of the benefit in kind in a specific local authority area.
	 (iv) Television licences
	Free television licences for people aged 75 or over were introduced in November 2000. TV Licensing, who administer free licences as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of licences issued. However, figures, shown in the following table, are available for the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming winter fuel payments in York local authority. These people would be eligible for a free television licence.
	
		
			  York local authority area 
			   Number of households with someone aged 75 or over 
			 2004-05 11,685 
			 2005-06 11,930 
			 2006-07 12,070 
			 2007-08 12,240 
		
	
	Television licence fees for each year since the concession was introduced are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  TV licence fees 
			  £ 
			   Colour  Black and white 
			 2000-01 104.00 34.50 
			 2001-02 109.00 36.50 
			 2002-03 112.00 37.50 
			 2003-04 116.00 38.50 
			 2004-05 121.00 40.50 
			 2005-06 126.50 42.00 
			 2006-07 131.50 44.00 
			 2007-08 135.50 45.50 
			 2008-09 139.50 47.00 
			 2009-10 142.50 48.00 
		
	
	 (v) Insulation
	The Warm Front scheme is the Government's main programme for tackling fuel poverty in vulnerable households in the private sector in England. Warm Front provides grants for heating, insulation and energy efficiency measures. The following table displays the number of pensioner households that have received Warm Front assistance in the York local authority area since the scheme's inception in 2000, and the average spend on each of those households.
	
		
			   Number of single pensioner households assisted in York  Average spend per single pensioner household assisted (£)  Number of two pensioners households assisted in York  Average spend per two pensioner household assisted (£) 
			 2000-01 63 345.50 16 791.74 
			 2001-02 170 502.44 43 1,156.06 
			 2002-03 184 611.81 46 1,424.28 
			 2003-04 82 748.75 21 1,701.55 
			 2004-05 87 693.71 22 1,596.59 
			 2005-06 199 778.45 102 765.08 
			 2006-07 364 753.92 252 657.25 
			 2007-08 390 1,020.33 297 998.20 
			 2008-09 199 1,741.24 155 1,612.50

Pensions

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rates of basic state pension payable to  (a) single pensioners and  (b) couples were in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available; and what the rates would have been if they had been uprated in line with earnings.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year  Level of the basic state pension (£ per week) 
			   Standard rate on own contributions  Standard rate for couple where wife is reliant on husband's insurance 
			 1996-97 61.15 97.75 
			 2009-10 (actual) 95.25 152.30 
			 2009-10 (uprated by prices) 88.70 141.80 
			  Notes: 1. All figures in cash terms. 2. Uprating calculations employ historic annual increase in the RPI series for September of the previous year. 3. There is no such thing as an actual 'singles rate' though the standard rate of the Category A pension is commonly referred to as the 'singles rate'. Similarly the sum of the Category A and Category B(L) pension is often referred to as the 'couples rate'. 4. Category B(L) pension is about 60 per cent. of the standard rate basic Category A pension. It is payable by virtue of a spouse's qualifying years or earnings.

Pensions: Ex-servicemen

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons non-taxable war disablement pension is not disregarded in means-testing calculations for the provision of NHS and other services to armed services veterans.

Jonathan R Shaw: Access to NHS services is a matter for my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.
	Armed service veterans who are in receipt of pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance or income related employment and support allowance have access to free prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and other NHS services.
	For all means-tested benefits income is normally taken fully into account when calculating entitlement. However, a £10 disregard is applied to payments of War Disablement Pension, War Widow's Pension and their replacement under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme when calculating a person's entitlement to these benefits. This disregard, which gives war pensioners an advantage over other groups, is made in recognition of the special nature of these payments.
	Certain elements paid with War Disablement Pension are disregarded in full. These are constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, severe disablement occupational allowance and dependency increases for anyone other than the applicant or his partner.
	In addition to the statutory disregards mentioned, local authorities, who administer housing benefit and council tax benefit, have discretion to disregard all or part of a War Pension over and above the statutory £10 disregard. The cost of any further disregard is met by the local authority, not by central Government. It is, therefore, for each local authority to decide whether a higher disregard should apply.

Research Report

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in each birth cohort, as shown in Figure 4.3 on page 55 of DWP Research Report number 558, would be modelled as having payback equivalent to having received at least the full value of the assumed rate of return used in the modelling; and what the equivalent figures are under alternative scenarios (a) 1 and (b) 2 as referred to on page 57 of DWP Research Report number 558.

Angela Eagle: The Department's population-level modelling calculates payback rather than internal rate of return, and there is no simple correspondence between the two measures-for each individual it depends on their patterns of saving and decumulation through time. As a result it would be a major exercise to calculate the distribution of internal rates of return for birth cohorts, and the cost of producing this analysis would be disproportionate.

Sick Leave: Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many working days were lost due to stress-related illness in each of the last 30 years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information the HSE holds on the estimated working days lost due to stress is as follows:
	
		
			  Estimated days lost due to stress, anxiety and depression 
			   Days lost-rounded to nearest 1,000 
			 2007-08 13,547,000 
			 2006-07 13,760,000 
			 2005-06 10,537,000 
			 2004-05 12,820,000 
			 2003-04 12,803,000 
			 2001-02 12,919,000 
			 1995(1) 6,465,000 
			 (1) The figure for 1995 was gathered using a different method from those for subsequent years, but is included for completeness; it should not be used for comparison purposes. 
		
	
	The Health and Safety Executive collects this information by commissioning a self-reported work-related ill-health (SWI) survey conducted on its behalf by the Office for National Statistics as part of its Labour Force Survey.
	No data are available before 1995 and the SWI Survey has not always been conducted on an annual basis.

Social Security Benefits: Expenditure

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will place in the Library a copy of each quarterly update of her Department's benefit expenditure tables produced in the last two years.

Jim Knight: The benefit expenditure tables are updated every half year following each Budget and pre-Budget report forecasting round.
	The tables are not formatted for printing, and their number and size means that formatting could be done only at disproportionate cost. However, they are made available on the Department's internet site for public access.
	The 2009 Budget report benefit expenditure tables are currently on the Department's website at
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp

State Retirement Pensions

Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have opted to defer their state pension in each year since the deferred scheme was introduced.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer that was given to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 570W.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Christine Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the number of women who would become eligible to receive a full state pension if the reduction in the number of qualifying years required for those reaching the state pension age at or after 6 April 2010 were applied to all women in receipt of a state pension in 2010-11; and what estimate she has made of the cost to the Exchequer of such an extension.

Angela Eagle: It is estimated that an extra 850,000 women in Great Britain would become eligible to receive a full basic state pension based on their own contributions if the number of qualifying years necessary to receive a full basic state pension were lowered from 39 to 30, along with the implementation of other changes in the 2007 pension reforms, for women already in receipt of a basic state pension in April 2010.
	Calculating basic state pension entitlement on the basis of 30 qualifying years, along with the implementation of other changes in the 2007 pension reforms, for women pensioners would cost around £1 billion (2009-10 price terms) in 2010 (net of income-related benefits).

Unemployed: Qualifications

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applicants for Jobcentre Plus registered qualifications at levels one to five in  (a) London and  (b) Enfield in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2009 to date.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not available.

Unemployment Benefits

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to the Exchequer has been of unemployment benefits  (a) in current prices and  (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Benefit expenditure to unemployed, Great Britain 
			   £ million (at 2009-10 prices) 
			   Housing benefit  Council tax benefit  Jobseeker's allowance  Total benefit expenditure  Percentage of GDP 
			 1997-98 2,255 413 5,109 7,777 0.7 
			 1998-99 1,820 348 4,571 6,739 0.6 
			 1999-2000 1,581 315 4,102 5,998 0.5 
			 2000-01 1,408 281 3,585 5,274 0.4 
			 2001-02 1,266 247 3,170 4,684 0.4 
			 2002-03 1,270 236 3,093 4,599 0.4 
			 2003-04 1,098 248 2,933 4,279 0.3 
			 2004-05 1,216 243 2,459 3,918 0.3 
			 2005-06 1,271 264 2,527 4,061 0.3 
			 2006-07 1,327 259 2,596 4,182 0.3 
			 2007-08 1,329 251 2,323 3,903 0.3 
			 2008-09 (estimated outturn) 1,645 299 2,909 4,854 0.3 
			  Note: GDP percentages calculated using HM Treasury Budget Report 2009.  Source (benefit expenditure): DWP statistical and accounting data.

Unemployment: Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the level of  (a) claimant unemployment,  (b) youth unemployment and  (c) long-term unemployment was in Hemsworth constituency (i) in 1997 and (ii) at the latest date for which information is available.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the level of  (a) claimant unemployment,  (b) youth unemployment and  (c) long-term unemployment was in Hemsworth constituency (i) in 1997 and (ii) at the latest date for which information is available. (288692)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. Estimates of youth unemployment and long term unemployment are not available for the Hemsworth constituency due to the small sample size.
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. The number of persons claiming JSA in June 1997 was 2,400 and in June 2009 was 2,300.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Unemployment: Oxfordshire

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Draft Legislative Programme 2009, Cm 7564, page 37, who in Oxfordshire will be responsible for delivering the proposed programme for access to jobs supported by recruitment subsidies, skills training or volunteering opportunities for adults who have been unemployed for six months or more.

Jim Knight: On 6 April 2009, the Department introduced an offer of extra support for customers who have been claiming jobseeker's allowance for six months. This included access to recruitment subsidies, work-focused training and volunteering opportunities. Jobcentre Plus personal advisers discuss these options with customers at interview.
	For the work-focused training element of the six-month offer, customers in Oxfordshire will be referred to Oxford and Cherwell Valley college or in some cases Newbury college if they reside in South Oxfordshire. These colleges have been contracted by the Learning and Skills Council for delivering this part of the six-month offer in Oxfordshire.
	BTCV are the lead organisation responsible for delivering access to volunteering opportunities in England. In partnership with v, Volunteering England and Community Service Volunteers, they run a brokerage network offering work-focused volunteering opportunities to eligible jobseekers.
	Jobcentre Plus is responsible for the delivery of the recruitment subsidy throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The recruitment subsidy is available through two delivery channels: it can either be issued as a voucher to individual jobseeker's allowance customers by their Jobcentre Plus personal adviser, or multiple vouchers can be delivered to employers with higher volume or long-term recruitment plans who are working with Jobcentre Plus account managers.

Winter Fuel Payments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to the public purse of winter fuel payments was in each of the last five years; and what estimate she has made of the cost in each of the next five years.

Angela Eagle: Published information is in the table.
	
		
			  Benefit expenditure, Great Britain (£ million) 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Winter Fuel Payments (at 2009-10 prices) 2,189 2,166 2,144 2,144 2,720 2,731 2,121 
			 Winter Fuel Payments (nominal terms) 1,962 1,982 2,015 2,071 2,694 2,731 2,153 
			  Source:  DWP accounting data 
		
	
	These figures are published on the DWP website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/medium_term.asp

Written Questions: Government Responses

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when she plans to answer question  (a) 273933,  (b) 273934,  (c) 273935 and  (d) 273936, tabled on 5 May 2009, on the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow.

Jim Knight: The hon. Member's questions were replied to as follows: 273933 on 24 June 2009,  Official Report, column 1021W; 273934 and 273936 on 19 June 2009,  Official Report, column 553W; 273935 on 16 June 2009,  Official Report, column 159W.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when she plans to answer question 277517, on Jobcentre Plus, tabled on 21 May 2009.

Jim Knight: I replied to the hon. Member's question on 7 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 742-46W.

Young Person's Guarantee

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the effect of the introduction of the Young Person's Guarantee on predicted levels of referrals to the flexible New Deal; and whether young people unemployed for 12 months or more will have a choice of being referred to the flexible New Deal or one of the options offered through the Young Person's Guarantee.

Jim Knight: The Young Person's Guarantee will provide all customers aged 18-24 approaching 12 months of their claim to jobseeker's allowance with the opportunity of a job, work-focused training or work experience placement.
	The flexible new deal gives providers the flexibility to offer personalised support tailored to each individual jobseeker. It will be introduced in phase 1 areas from October 2009 and from October 2010 in Phase 2 areas.
	The Young Person's Guarantee will be available to all eligible customers on a voluntary basis from January 2010. In line with the jobseeker's allowance benefit entitlement rules, any customer who is offered suitable paid employment through the Young Person's Guarantee must accept it or could face a sanction. However, while the programme is voluntary, customers may choose to be referred to the flexible new deal instead of the training or work experience options of the Young Person's Guarantee.
	The Young Person's Guarantee will become mandatory from spring 2010. Then all customers must complete an element of the Young Person's Guarantee before they are referred to the flexible new deal.
	The Department will continue to liaise with the Flexible New Deal Preferred Bidders about any potential impacts on referrals to the flexible new deal as a result of the Young Person's Guarantee. Any impacts will be time-limited, as referrals to the Young Person's Guarantee will end in March 2011.

Young Person's Guarantee

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when she expects the Community Task Force to be operational under the Young Person's Guarantee.

Jim Knight: The Young Person's Guarantee will provide all customers aged 18 to 24 approaching 12 months of their claim to jobseeker's allowance with the opportunity of a job, work-focused training or work experience placement. The community task force is the work experience element of the Young Person's Guarantee.
	In phase 1 flexible new deal areas, the community task force will be available to all eligible customers on a voluntary basis from January 2010. The community task force will become mandatory in these areas later in 2010 for all customers who do not take up another element of the Young Person's Guarantee.
	In phase 2 flexible new deal areas, the 'work experience placement' element of the Young Person's Guarantee will be delivered through the voluntary sector and environmental task force options of the new deal for young people. When referrals to this provision stop during 2010, customers will instead be referred to the community task force.

Young Person's Guarantee

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether young people aged between 18 and 24 years old who complete one of the options on the Young Person's Guarantee but who have not secured employment will be referred on to the Flexible New Deal;
	(2)  what plans her Department has to provide assistance for young people aged between 18 and 24 years old who complete one of the options on the Young Person's Guarantee but who have not secured employment.

Jim Knight: The Young Person's Guarantee will provide all customers aged 18 to 24 approaching 12 months of their claim to jobseeker's allowance with the opportunity of a job, work-focused training or work experience placement.
	The flexible new deal will be introduced in phase 1 areas from October 2009, and in phase 2 areas from October 2010. It will give providers the flexibility to offer personalised support tailored to each individual jobseeker.
	All customers in phase 1 areas who participate in work-focused training or take up a work experience placement and who do not manage to secure employment will be referred to the flexible new deal.
	Prior to the introduction of the flexible new deal in phase 2 areas, customers who do not secure employment as part of the Young Person's Guarantee will be referred to the new deal for young people.
	From October 2010, all customers in phase 2 areas who do not manage to secure employment after completing one of the options of the Young Person's Guarantee will also be referred to the flexible new deal.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with his Chinese counterpart about the reported involvement of Chinese nationals in fighting UK armed forces in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: The UK and China routinely discuss issues of mutual interest, including Afghanistan. Although there are occasional media reports of Chinese nationals fighting inside Afghanistan, these reports are unconfirmed and no individuals killed or detained by UK forces operating in Afghanistan have been confirmed as having Chinese nationality.

Afghanistan: Helicopters

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions British commanders in Afghanistan have requested the use of coalition helicopters; and on how many occasions this has been agreed to.

Bob Ainsworth: Helicopter support to ISAF operations in Regional Command (South) is provided from a multinational pool of helicopters, to which the UK makes a significant contribution. The UK routinely requests the use of the Regional Command (South) helicopter assets, and these requests are met by available assets. UK helicopters are also tasked by Regional Command (South) to support other nations within the Regional Command (South) area of operations. The specific number of requests and occasions when British Commanders have used coalition helicopters is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Afghanistan: Helicopters

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which helicopters owned by the armed forces of other nations and manned by  (a) UK and  (b) non-UK aircrew the UK has borrowed for service in Afghanistan since 1 January 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Helicopter support to ISAF operations in Southern Afghanistan, where the majority of British troops are located, is provided from a multinational pool of helicopters allocated by Regional Command (South), to which the UK makes a significant contribution. Therefore, the UK makes use of helicopter capability from other nations and also provides helicopter capability to support other nations. Helicopters are matched to tasks on the basis of capacity, capability and availability rather than nationality.
	The UK does not provide complete crews for helicopters from other nations. On occasion the UK deploys exchange officers with the armed forces of other nations but we do not centrally record the individual missions which they are tasked with in Afghanistan. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many explosions caused by improvised explosive devices were recorded by the armed forces in Afghanistan in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2008 and  (c) 2009 to date.

Bob Ainsworth: Records of incidents for the whole of Afghanistan are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Data are more readily available for attacks within Regional Command (South), which includes the vast majority of UK forces deployed to Afghanistan.
	The following table shows all improvised explosive device detonations in Regional Command (South):
	
		
			   2007  2008  2009 
			 January 20 54 83 
			 February 19 44 78 
			 March 31 55 85 
			 April 26 76 74 
			 May 61 64 98 
			 June 56 76  
			 July 55 115  
			 August 46 120  
			 September 63 106  
			 October 56 90  
			 November 51 99  
			 December 46 104  
		
	
	These figures do not include improvised explosive device finds with no detonation or improvised explosive device false alarms. These figures are based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis of collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operational environment.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations his Department has undertaken into incidents involving civilian death or injury as a result of the use by British forces of enhanced blast munitions in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: UK forces thoroughly investigate all reports of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, regardless of their potential cause. We regret incidents where civilians are accidentally killed as a result of actions by UK armed forces. In addition to investigating all reports of civilian casualties, procedures are in place, and being constantly updated in the light of experience, to minimise the risk of these casualties occurring.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which UK helicopter types were deployed in Afghanistan as at 13 July 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: ISAF helicopter support in Regional Command (South) in Afghanistan is provided through a multinational pool to which the UK makes a significant contribution. The UK currently has Chinook, Sea King and Lynx helicopters deployed to undertake combat support roles, and in addition has Apache attack helicopters deployed in theatre.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on day landings at Kandahar airbase.

Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence takes a risk based approach to landings at all operational bases, including Kandahar airbase. The level of risk takes into account the task concerned, the security situation and the aircraft. I am withholding further information on this subject as its disclosure would prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Mk3 Chinooks currently being upgraded he expects will be deployed to Afghanistan; and what the dates of deployment will be.

Quentin Davies: We are converting the eight Chinook Mk3 helicopters to a support helicopter role. The first of these aircraft will be delivered to operational squadrons before the end of this year thus increasing the pool of Chinooks available for deployment. It is for the chain of command to determine how many and which of their aircraft should be deployed and when.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what supplies were lost when the Mi-26T helicopter carrying supplies to a British base in Afghanistan crashed on 14 July 2009; and of what nationality the crew members of that helicopter were.

Bob Ainsworth: The Mi-26T helicopter was carrying non-sensitive cargo, including food and fuel, when it crashed. The crew members were Ukrainian.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) types of aircraft and  (b) nationality of aircraft crews other than British, American and Canadian supply British forces in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: A combination of UK military and civilian charter aircraft are used to transport supplies to British forces in Afghanistan. Within Afghanistan, supplies are delivered to UK forces by UK Hercules and C17 aircraft, UK Chinook, Sea King and Lynx helicopters and by helicopters from troop contributing nations in Regional Command (South). Within Regional Command (South), helicopter support is provided from a multinational pool of helicopters, to which the UK makes a significant contribution. The UK also makes use of a range of civilian helicopters through the NATO logistics supply contract and a UK contract for transporting non-sensitive stores.
	We are not able to comment on the types of helicopter deployed by other nations in Regional Command (South) or on the nationality of the crews which operate them, since this is a matter for each individual nation. Contracts for helicopter assets are let for the provision of a capability. Consequently, the types of contracted helicopter and the nationality of those who operate them are a matter for the contractor.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the maximum number of  (a) Royal Navy and  (b) Royal Air Force helicopters is which could be deployed in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies) gave on 17 June 2009,  Official Record, column 338W, to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox).
	Helicopters and crews from all three services continue to serve with distinction in Afghanistan. We have already deployed to Afghanistan the maximum number of helicopters that are both properly equipped for the challenges of the operational theatre, and that we can sustain on an enduring basis. While it would be possible to surge additional helicopters into theatre on a temporary basis, this would be unsustainable over time and would severely impact upon the achievement of harmony guidelines for helicopter air and ground crews and training of new and existing crews. We are working hard to increase the number of deployed helicopters but we need to do so sustainably. That is why we have been investing in additional aircraft and crews, logistics and infrastructure, as well undertaking significant modifications to our existing helicopter fleet to enhance their capabilities.
	Helicopter capability is measured by flying hours rather than airframe numbers. The helicopter fleet is managed to ensure that our operational and other commitments are met, including an 84 per cent. increase in flying hours in Afghanistan between November 2006 and April 2009.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2009,  Official Report, column 999, on armed conflict: Afghanistan, what his policy is on the introduction of a single, uniform system by which all members of the International Security Assistance Force investigate and provide compensation to civilian casualties.

Bob Ainsworth: A civilian casualties tracking cell has been established by NATO ISAF to investigate reports, with the Government of Afghanistan, of alleged incidents involving ISAF in Afghanistan.
	As detailed in my answer of 11 June 2009,  Official Report , column 999W, compensation claims brought against the Ministry of Defence as part of the International Security Assistance Force are considered on the basis of whether or not the Department has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a proven legal liability, under UK law, compensation is paid.
	Other members of the International Security Assistance Force will also assess liability when considering compensation claims though this will be against their own national law. This therefore precludes the implementation of a uniform system for providing compensation for civilian casualties.

Apache Helicopters

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what through-life upgrades are planned for the Apache helicopter;
	(2)  when he plans to start the Block 3 upgrade to the Apache helicopter.

Quentin Davies: The MOD plans to upgrade the Apache helicopter throughout its life to sustain the capability provided, through a Spiral Development programme, starting before 2017 when the US Army will stop operating their AH64D block 1 aircraft on which the Apache AH Mk1 is based. A number of options have been identified, which include utilising US Army block 3 technology. The UK assessment phase of the upgrade is scheduled to commence in financial year 2012-13.

Armed Forces: Afghanistan

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of all Afghan government military forces are based in Helmand province; and what efforts are being made to increase that percentage.

Bob Ainsworth: The number of Afghan National Security Forces in Helmand province is approximately 7,500, the total number of Afghan National Security Forces in Afghanistan is approximately 170,000.
	The decision on where to deploy Afghan National Security Forces is a decision for the Afghan Government. The UK is working closely with the Government of Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force, and the Combined Security Transition Command to ensure that new Afghan National Security Force units are deployed where they are needed most.

Armed Forces: Afghanistan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK service personnel have been killed or seriously injured while being transported in road vehicles on operations in Afghanistan in circumstances where helicopters would have been used for the transport if they had been available in each of the last five years.

Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence recognises the vital role that helicopters play in supporting operations in Afghanistan. There are also many tasks that can only be carried out by troops on the ground, and situations in which road vehicles are a more suitable or better means of transporting personnel than helicopters.
	It is not possible to make an assessment of whether an incident in which a UK serviceman has been killed or sustained serious injuries could have been avoided should a helicopter have been used in place of a road vehicle. We constantly monitor and respond to the capability and protection requirements of our troops, and strive to ensure that our armed forces have the protection and mobility they need to do their jobs as safely and effectively as modern technology allows.

Armed Forces: Health Services

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how many service personnel his Department has purchased accelerated access to  (a) NHS and  (b) private treatment in each region in each of the last 10 years.

Kevan Jones: Accelerated access is a term used by MOD in the context of physical illnesses and injuries. It is separate to the specific fast track arrangements for orthopaedic treatment; separate provision is also made for access to in-patient care for mental health conditions.
	Secondary healthcare accelerated access for Service personnel is commissioned through the NHS. In England, contracts have been established with selected NHS Trusts in the locations shown in the following table. There are no such formal arrangements with private sector providers for physical conditions.
	Patients based in the devolved Administrations who require accelerated access will have this provided through local commissioning arrangements with relevant NHS Trusts.
	Comprehensive data for the last 10 years are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, during the period 2004-05 to 2007-08 a total of 100,112 treatments have been delivered through accelerated access arrangements in England. A detailed breakdown of this activity by hospital is provided in the following table.
	
		
			   Derriford  Frimley Park  Northallerton  Peterborough  Portsmouth  RCDM( 1)  Royal Surrey 
			 2004-05 2,491 5,897 3,106 4,985 6,895 2,214 962 
			 2005-06 1,858 5,554 3,421 4,762 6,605 1,777 876 
			 2006-07 2,770 5,663 3,511 5,109 5,057 2,191 887 
			 2007-08 2,470 6,754 3,011 4,741 2,953 2,684 908 
			 Total 9,589 2,3868 13,049 19,597 21,510 8,866 3,633 
			 1 Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, hosted by University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust 
		
	
	Final confirmed numbers for 2008-09 are not yet available.

Armed Forces: Health Services

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  on how many occasions his Department has arranged fast access to  (a) NHS and  (b) private surgery under the orthopaedic-fast track programme for service personnel in each region in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what the average waiting time for service personnel to receive physiotherapy  (a) on the orthopaedic-fast track programme and  (b) in each of his Department's regional rehabilitation units was in each of the last 10 years.

Kevan Jones: The most common medical conditions in military patients are musculo-skeletal disorders. Since April 2004, for patients with these conditions, we have arranged rapid access to diagnosis and, for the minority who are then found to need it, surgery in NHS facilities, thus enabling the services to respond to the current high operational tempo and return personnel to full fitness for task when this is clinically deliverable.
	The following table shows how many referrals to fast-track surgery have been made by each rehabilitation and recovery unit in the UK in each financial year since 2005-06. Details as to which medical facility each referral was made could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 2004-05 are not readily available.
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09( 1)  2009 - 10( 2) 
			 Aldergrove 10 114 6 7 1 
			 Aldershot 90 28 14 21 1 
			 Bulford 39 32 36 13 18 
			 Catterick 7 22 32 10 14 
			 Colchester 24 35 39 9 7 
			 Cranwell 40 40 27 7 1 
			 Edinburgh 90 147 64 20 8 
			 Halton 81 97 93 15 22 
			 Honington 17 24 25 37 4 
			 Lichfield 22 65 71 13 20 
			 London (Headley Court) 3 14 20 9 1 
			 Plymouth 43 96 115 68 19 
			 Portsmouth 47 101 47 52 7 
			 (1) 2008-09 statistics subject to final analysis and confirmation (2) 2009-10 figures up to June 2009 
		
	
	Typically we achieve a decision as to which path the patient will follow, either to surgery or straight to physiotherapy/rehabilitation within 10-20 days of injury. Those needing only physiotherapy/rehabilitation treatment (the majority) are referred directly for treatment in one of the RRUs. Typically, these patients will start physiotherapy within four to six weeks of the decision on their treatment path.
	Patients requiring physiotherapy following fast track surgery will receive this either at a local MOD Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility (PCRF) or by referral back to an RRU. This will usually commence within two weeks of surgery, depending upon the patient's individual and geographic circumstances. No strict measure of waiting times are taken, as each patient's care pathway is individually managed and co-ordinated by the referring RRU, and timescales will depend on continuing assessment and surgical outcome.

Armed Forces: Health Services

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  at which armed forces medical centres the Defence Medical Information Capacity Programme is in use; and on what date the programme is expected to be introduced at medical centres where it is not yet in use;
	(2)  what mechanisms are in place to ensure the exchange of information between the Defence Medical Information Capacity Programme and health services in the devolved administrations;
	(3)  whether the roll-out of the Defence Medical Information Capability Programme has been completed;
	(4)  when the interface between the Defence Medical Information Capacity Programme and the NHS National Programme for IT is expected to be completed.

Kevan Jones: The roll-out of the Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP) is being undertaken in three parts, to fixed permanent defence medical facilities; to deployed defence medical facilities; and to enable information exchange with the NHS. The first part of the roll-out is now drawing to a close. The list of medical centres where DMICP is already in use and a list of the expected dates of implementation of DMICP in medical centres, where it is not yet in use will be placed in the Library of the House.
	The second part of the roll-out is to cover deployed operational and maritime units. It is expected to start in September 2009 with field trials and pilot sites, with the main roll-out due to begin in January 2010. The deployed roll-out is expected to complete by December 2010, subject to any necessary rescheduling for operational reasons, ship upkeep and maintenance periods, and to reflect lessons learned from earlier phases.
	Services to deliver the third part of the roll-out-the interface between DMICP and the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT)-will be introduced in a phased manner beginning later this year and are expected to be completed by the end of 2014.
	Although NPfIT does not extend to the NHS in the devolved Administrations, we are in contact with their health officials so that as far as possible the same benefits, in terms of speedy and accurate exchange of data, will be available to defence patients and medical staff in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over the same period.

Armed Forces: Helicopters

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Air Force and  (c) Royal Navy personnel (i) entered and (ii) completed pilot training for each helicopter type in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Initial training for all three Services is provided by the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at Shawbury. Around 140 new pilots complete the training each year. On completion of single engine training at DHFS, the three Services conduct separate training streams leading to the final phase in which pilots convert onto specific aircraft types. This is known as Operational Conversion Flight/Operational Conversion Unit training.
	The numbers of armed forces personnel who entered and completed helicopter conversion to type pilot training, by each helicopter type, in the last five years, where data are available, are provided in the following tables.
	
		
			  Royal Navy helicopters 
			   Personnel numbers 
			   Merlin Mk1  Lynx Mk8  Sea King  Sea King Commando 
			   Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed 
			 2004-05 6 6 11 11 4 4 13 14 
			 2005-06 4 4 8 7 0 0 17 17 
			 2006-07 8 7 7 8 0 0 6 6 
			 2007-08 8 4 11 8 0 0 12 14 
			 2008-09 10 8 5 5 3 3 12 12 
		
	
	
		
			  Army Air Corps helicopters 
			   Personnel numbers 
			   Gazelle  Lynx  Apache 
			  Service  Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed 
			  2004-05   
			 Royal Navy 2 2 8 8 1 1 
			 Army 19 19 29 29 42 37 
			 RAF 0 0 1 1 0 0 
			
			  2005-06   
			 Royal Navy 0 0 6 6 0 0 
			 Army 6 6 40 40 24 22 
			 RAF 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			
			  2006-07   
			 Royal Navy 0 0 4 4 1 1 
			 Army 4 4 39 39 31 31 
			 RAF 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			
			  2007-08   
			 Royal Navy 1 1 5 4 0 0 
			 Army 9 9 21 21 37 34 
			 RAF 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			
			  2008-09   
			 Royal Navy 0 0 4 4 0 0 
			 Army 5 5 21 19 33 29 
			 RAF 1 1 0 0 1 1 
		
	
	
		
			  Royal Air Force helicopters 
			   Personnel numbers 
			   Chinook  Puma  Merlin Mk 3  Sea King 
			   Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed  Entered  Completed 
			 2004-05 21 21 20 20 14 14 n/a n/a 
			 2005-06 23 23 19 19 13 13 n/a n/a 
			 2006-07 18 17 20 20 12 12 n/a n/a 
			 2007-08 28 28 8 8 13 13 13 13 
			 2008-09 19 19 14 14 20 20 9 9 
		
	
	A breakdown by Service of pilots trained on RAF and Royal Navy helicopter types is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Pilots entering training in one year may not complete training in the same year. Therefore, numbers entering and completing training in each of the financial years may not equate.

Armed Forces: Housing

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many emergency maintenance requests were made for properties occupied by service personnel and their families in each month since October 2007; and what the average time was for requested maintenance to take place.

Kevan Jones: The requested information is not held centrally and will take a little time to collate and verify. I will write to the hon. Member.
	 Substantive answer from Kevan Jones to  Lady  Sylvia Hermon:
	In my answer of 1 June 2009 (Official Report, column 37W) I undertook to write to you with details of how many emergency maintenance requests were made for properties occupied by Service personnel and their families in each month since October 2007; and what the average time was for requested maintenance to take place.
	The table below shows the number of emergency repair calls in the UK since October 2007. Like for like information about cases overseas is not held centrally or on a consistent basis.
	
		
			   UK 
			 October 2007 3,085 
			 November 2007 3,784 
			 December 2007 3,637 
			 January 2008 4,105 
			 February 2008 3,464 
			 March 2008 3,412 
			 April 2008 3,073 
			 May 2008 2,389 
			 June 2008 2,263 
			 July 2008 2,621 
			 August 2008 2,809 
			 September 2008 3,046 
			 October 2008 3,591 
			 November 2008 4,044 
			 December 2008 5,441 
			 January 2009 5,022 
			 February 2009 3,739 
			 March 2009 3,447 
		
	
	Information on response times is not held in the format requested. The MOD contract sets the response time for attending emergency repairs as 3 hours, and repairs to remedy or make safe are to be completed within 24 hours.
	In the UK, requests for repairs to Service Family Accommodation are classed as an emergency in cases where there is an immediate risk of injury to individuals or damage to property, or where the problem could give rise to serious inconvenience or hardship to occupants. Examples include a total loss of essential facilities or insecure premises.

Armed Forces: Housing

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of units of service  (a) single living accommodation and  (b) service family accommodation at each location in (i) England, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland are in each condition grade.

Kevan Jones: Details of single living accommodation (SLA) and service family accommodation (SFA) units broken down by grade and location in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, as at June 2008, the latest date for which figures are available, SLA in each country was at the following grade, an assessment of the physical condition of the accommodation and scale.
	
		
			   Grade 1  Grade 2  Grade 3  Grade 4  Total 
			 England 30,705 15,702 18,862 56,799 122,068 
			 Percentage 25 13 15 47 - 
			   
			 Northern Ireland 1,002 960 1,402 776 4,140 
			 Percentage 24 23 34 19 - 
			   
			 Wales 671 1,277 160 1,129 3,237 
			 Percentage 21 39 5 35 - 
		
	
	An asset survey of SFA in England and Wales is currently being undertaken to help plan and prioritise the maintenance and improvement of SFA properties more effectively and to target resources at areas of greatest need. As at 1 July 2009, of the 44,000 SFA properties in England and Wales, over 33,500 had been surveyed and were at the following Standard for Condition (SfC).
	
		
			  SfC  Number of properties  Percentage 
			 S1fC 12,089 36 
			 S2fC 19,525 58 
			 S3fC 1,850 6 
			 S4fC 231 (1)- 
			 (1) Less than 1 per cent. 
		
	
	Although NI SFA has not been assessed for its SfC, it is generally considered to be in a good condition.

Armed Forces: Mental Health Services

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding his Department has given to each military department of community mental health in each year since their inception; and how much has been allocated to each department in the next two years.

Kevan Jones: The MOD has 15 Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) in the UK (with additional satellite centres in Germany, Cyprus and Gibraltar), which have since 2004 provided out-patient mental healthcare for members of the armed forces. Responsibility for their individual management is shared between the single service commands, and it is not possible to separate out costs from overall unit medical budgets. Each service funds its respective DCMHs differently, with funding provision coming from a number of areas. Due to the number of budgets to which costs would be attributable, any detailed study of DCMH finances would incur disproportionate costs.

Armed Forces: Mental Health Services

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many military psychiatrists of each specialism there are in each of the armed services; and at what location each is working;
	(2)  how many service personnel have been referred to a military psychiatrist in each of the last 10 years.

Kevan Jones: All military psychiatrists are trained as general psychiatrists. There are currently 15 uniformed consultant psychiatrists working for the Defence Medical Services (DMS), as well as 13 civilian consultant psychiatrists, many of whom are former military members of the DMS. They work in the military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH), which provide out-patient mental health care for members of the armed forces. I will place a copy of the specific location of each consultant in the Library.
	
		
			   Military psychiatrists  Civilian psychiatrists  Total 
			 Aldershot 1 1.5 2.5 
			 RAF Brize Norton 1 1 2 
			 Catterick 2 1 3 
			 Colchester 1 0 1 
			 RAF Cranwell 1 0 1 
			 Donnington 1 1 2 
			 RAF Kinloss 1 0 1 
			 RAF Leuchars 0.5 0 0.5 
			 RAF Marham 1 0 1 
			 Northern Ireland 0.5 0 0.5 
			 Plymouth 0 3 3 
			 Portsmouth 0 2.5 2.5 
			 Tidworth 1 1 2 
			 Woolwich 1 0 1 
			 Rhine (Germany) 1 0 1 
			 Hohne (Germany) 0 1 1 
			 Paderborn (Germany) 0 1 1 
			 Gutersloh (Germany) 1 0 1 
			 Other(1) 1 0 1 
			 Total 15 13 28 
			 (1) Other includes personnel in staff posts.  Note: Two individuals work part-time at two separate DCMHs. These are shown as 0.5 at each location. 
		
	
	Service personnel who have a concern about their mental health will normally be referred in the first instance for assessment and/or treatment at one of the DCMHs, which are manned by multi-disciplinary teams of consultant psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, community mental health nurses and mental health social workers.
	Since July 2007 the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) organisation has reported on the psychiatric morbidity of the UK armed forces. Quarterly reports for the whole of 2007 and 2008 are available to view both in the Library of the House and on the DASA website at the following link:
	www.dasa.mod.uk
	Equivalent verified data prior to 2007 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The morbidity report shows numbers of new attendances at DCMHs or at the MOD's in-patient contractor during each quarter and the results of the initial mental health assessment. However, the data collected do not indicate whether an individual was seen by a military psychiatrist or by another qualified member of the mental health team.

Armed Forces: Training

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel  (a) entered and  (b) completed fast jet training in each aircraft type in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The following table provides the number of RAF and RN personnel who  (a) entered and  (b) completed fast jet training and the type of aircraft they trained on in each of the last five years. All personnel start training on the Hawk but move on to receive more advanced training on other types of aircraft.
	
		
			   Financial year 
			 Aircraft type  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			  (a)  
			 Hawk 65 61 71 70 69 
			   
			  (b)  
			 Harrier GR7/9 8 7 6 3 6 
			 Tornado GR 4 28 27 26 29 26 
			 Tornado F3 28 19 18 12 6 
			 Typhoon 0 0 4 3 4 
			 Jaguar 9 4 0 0 0 
			 Total 73 57 54 47 42 
			  Note:  Jaguar was withdrawn from Service after financial year 2005-06 and formal Typhoon pilot training commenced in financial year 2006-07. 
		
	
	With the introduction of Typhoon we are bringing into service a state of the art multi-role weapons system, suitable and adaptable to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It is in certain key aspects already a significantly more capable platform than the aircraft it replaced and it continues to develop and improve. Typhoon requires only a one-person crew rather than a two-person crew like the Tornado F3, which is being phased out. Additionally, as the 2004 Defence White Paper Delivering Security in a Changing World made clear, the effectiveness of modern precision weapons and sensors, which can be used in all weathers, day and night, mean that highly accurate air delivered offensive effects can be achieved with fewer fast jets than before... Similarly the air threat to deployed forces has greatly reduced and the capability of our air superiority aircraft and other air defence assets is continuing to improve. So we need fewer aircraft and fewer ground-based air defence systems to meet the threat.
	The number of fast-jet aircrew completing training is sufficient to meet training requirements, and aircrew training for Typhoon is planned to increase over the next few years as the aircraft comes into wider service. Under current plans, by 2014-15 there will be an annual requirement for 16 newly qualified Typhoon pilots each year, to support a requirement for 92 front-line Typhoon pilots within a total force of 122 pilots.

Armed Forces: Training

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what proportion of his Department's military training exercises  (a) an injury to armed forces service personnel,  (b) damage to public property and  (c) damage to private property has occurred in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I can assure the House, however, that every effort is taken to ensure that our service personnel undertake military training safely and to minimise damage to either public or private property.
	We can identify the number of service personnel who have sustained an injury whilst on a training exercise as reported on the MOD Health and Safety systems between 2006 and 2008(1).
	(1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.
	
		
			  Service  2006  2007  2008 
			 Naval Service(1) 65 5 25 
			 Army 240 240 325 
			 RAF 30 15 20 
			 (1) Naval Service figures include Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Armed Forces: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited to the armed forces through Armed Forces Career Offices in the Yorkshire and the Humber in each year since 2001.

Kevan Jones: The number of officers recruited to the Royal Air Force through Armed Forces Career Offices in the Yorkshire and Humberside area can be found in the following table.
	
		
			   RAF 
			 2003-04 20 
			 2004-05 10 
			 2005-06 20 
			 2006-07 20 
			 2007-08 30 
			 2008-09 30 
		
	
	The Naval Service currently recruit officers through one of seven Officer Careers Liaison Centres (OCLCs) situated throughout England, and Army officers are currently recruited by Army Career Advisors and are not recruited through the Armed Forces Career Offices. Both of these figures are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The number of Other Ranks recruited to the armed forces through Armed Forces Career Offices in the Yorkshire and Humberside area can be found in the following table.
	
		
			   Naval Service  Army  RAF 
			 2001-02 - 1,330 - 
			 2002-03 - 1,510 - 
			 2003-04 270 1,300 310 
			 2004-05 260 1,020 180 
			 2005-06 280 1,110 130 
			 2006-07 250 1,390 180 
			 2007-08 240 1,230 230 
			 2008-09 260 1,300 320 
		
	
	Following a move onto a new reporting system accurate data for the Naval Service and RAF are only available from financial year 2003-04.
	Yorkshire and Humberside covers the Armed Forces Careers Offices based in Hull, Leeds and Sheffield. Additionally Army Regular soldier figures include those recruited from Army Career Information Offices in York, Scarborough, Barnsley, Doncaster, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield.
	All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to avoid disclosure and are provisional and subject to review.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the capacity of the new Husky vehicle to withstand the impact of improvised explosive devices and mines in Afghanistan.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 14 July 2009,  Official Report, column 269W. Husky has been subject to a range of tests, including the impact of improvised explosive devices. It has passed these tests, but for reasons of operational security it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost per vehicle is of the extra armour added to the new Husky vehicle prior to deployment.

Quentin Davies: The armour solution on Husky is an integral part of the vehicle, embodied on the production line. There is no extra armour added to the vehicle prior to deployment. There is therefore no cost for extra armour.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the unladen weight is of the new Husky vehicle.

Quentin Davies: The unladen weight of the Husky cannot be released as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the operational security of our armed forces.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were used in the evaluation process for the procurement of the new Husky vehicle.

Quentin Davies: The Navistar Defence vehicle selected for the Husky programme was evaluated against a number of key user requirements, which included protection and mobility, a demanding delivery timeline and the requirement to provide value for money.

Army: Training

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average waiting time for an Army infantry recruit to enter basic training after passing initial entry assessments and requirements was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kevan Jones: Over the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, the average waiting time between an applicant obtaining a pass at an Army development and selection centre and commencing infantry training was 79 days.
	Having obtained a pass at a selection centre, a commencement date is mutually agreed by the individual and their recruiting staff, and is tailored to the Army's and the individual's circumstances.

Astute Class Submarines

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated in-service date is for each of the first four Astute-class submarines.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1667W. The Astute programme is currently being re-baselined and I will make an announcement in due course.

Baha Mousa Inquiry

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether legal aid has been made available to any persons who are to appear as witnesses at the Baha Mousa Inquiry.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 16 July 2009
	Legal aid is not available to participants in public inquiries. However, under the Inquiries Act 2005 the chairman may make awards where he considers it appropriate. I understand that the right hon. Sir William Gage, chairman of the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry, which is established under the Inquiries Act, has made two awards under section 40(2) of that Act in respect of legal representation for two of the Inquiry's core participants. Separately, legal assistance at no cost to the individual will be offered to all current and former service personnel and civil servants who are asked to provide evidence as a consequence of their employment.

Barron Report

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Barron Report on defence land needs.

Kevan Jones: A copy of the 'Barron Report', which was prepared some years ago, is being obtained and will be placed in the Library of the House.
	 Substantive answer from Kevan Jones to Liam Fox:
	In my answer to your Parliamentary Question of 12 January (Official Report, column 86W), asking for a copy of the Barron Report on defence lands needs to be placed in the Library of the House, I advised that a copy was being obtained and would be placed in the library of the house as soon as practicable.
	I regret that, given the amount of time that has elapsed since the production of the Report (some 20 years); and despite strenuous efforts by officials, it has not proved possible to locate a copy.
	I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Clyde Naval Base: Radioactive Waste

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2009,  Official Report, column 753W, on radioactive waste: waste management, if he will introduce an annual review of compliance with best practice of arrangements for the handling, movement, processing, storage and disposal of radioactive waste at HM Naval Base, Clyde, Faslane.

Quentin Davies: Management of radioactive waste at Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde is carried out in accordance with a comprehensive set of requirements, both statutory and those derived from MOD policy, including authorisation conditions (ACs) imposed by the Department's Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator. These ACs require an annual review to be carried out for all nuclear facilities, including the two facilities that deal with radioactive waste: the Active Processing Facility and the Radioactive Effluent Disposal Facility.

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he last met Mr Damian McBride in the course of his official duties.

Bob Ainsworth: I have not met with Damian McBride in the course of my official duties.

Defence: Procurement

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of the outcome of legal proceedings in the United States against L-3 Communications Corporation; if he will assess the effect on his Department's policies on  (a) security and  (b) ethical procurement of its contract with L-3 Communications Corporation to examine the replacement of the Nimrod R-1 fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: The Ministry of Defence is aware of the legal proceedings in the USA involving L-3 Communications, with whom MOD has a number of contracts.
	We have not yet made a final decision on the solution for sustaining the Airborne Signals Intelligence Capability, currently provided by Nimrod R-1.
	All major equipment procurements are subject to MOD's assurance processes, which include an assessment of the suitability of prospective contractors before any commitments are entered into.

Departmental Buildings

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) land and  (b) buildings his Department has sold since 1997.

Kevan Jones: Records of transactions prior to 2000 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member with the information on land and buildings sold since 2000 as soon as this data has been verified and collated.
	 Substantive answer from Kevan Jones to Susan Kramer:
	In my answer of 9 June 2009 (Official Report, column 831W) I undertook to write to you with details of what land and buildings have been sold since 1997.
	I am placing a copy of the details of the land and buildings that have been sold since 2000 in the Library of the House.
	As I indicated in my earlier response, records of transactions prior to 2000 are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Contracts

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts let by his Department were awarded to businesses with fewer than 50 employees in each of the last five years; and what the monetary value of such contracts was in each such year.

Quentin Davies: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each  (a) database and  (b) ICT system run by his Department in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2009; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each  (a) database and  (b) ICT system run by his Department in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: It would not be in the interests of the UK's national security for the MOD to confirm whether it holds information about attacks against its data or ICT systems as this would enable individuals to deduce how successful the Department is in detecting these attacks.

Departmental Detergents

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ensure that no cleaning products or ingredients of cleaning products used by his Department have been tested on animals.

Bob Ainsworth: Cleaning services are generally procured by the Ministry of Defence through wider Facilities Management and PFI contracts. The MOD requires contractors to comply with all applicable legislation. Above this, the Department does not have a specific policy regarding animal testing.

Departmental Disclosure of Information

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which requests for information received by his Department under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in 2008 were  (a) classified as not resolvable and  (b) refused in full;
	(2)  in respect of which requests for information received by his Department in 2008 under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 it has received permission to extend the deadline for a response by more than 40 days; and what the reason for the request for an extension was in each case.

Kevan Jones: In 2008 the Ministry of Defence received some 2,631 requests for information centrally, under the Freedom of Information Act.
	As of 30 January 2009,258 cases were closed in which the information requested was withheld in full. A further 315 cases were closed and classed as not resolvable.
	As at the same date, 49 cases required more than 40 days on top of the statutory 20 working day period and have now been closed. As of 30 January 2009, a further 69 cases remained open in which the statutory 20 working day period and a further 40 working days had passed.
	The exact text of each of the 791 requests in the categories listed above, and the detailed reasons for each extension, could be provided at only disproportionate cost. However, I will write to the hon. Member to provide a short summary of each request for information received in 2008 that was classified as 'not resolvable' or 'withheld in full', and list any exemptions that applied. I will also set out simplified reasons for those that have required more than 40 working days on top of the statutory 20 working day period.

Departmental Manpower

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) regular military,  (b) Territorial Army and other part-time military and  (c) civilian personnel were employed by his Department in (i) total, (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber, (iii) North Yorkshire and (iv) City of York in each year since 1997.

Kevan Jones: Regular military strength breakdown by Government office region prior to 2002, local authority level breakdown of MOD Civilians prior to 2006 and stationed location of Volunteer Reserve personnel are not held centrally and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
	The following table shows the total Regular Service, Civilian and Volunteer Reserve Force Strengths. Civilian strength is reported as full-time equivalents (FTE) and includes MOD permanent and casual personnel, trading funds, royal fleet auxiliaries and locally engaged civilians.
	
		
			Volunteer reserve force  
			   Regular military personnel( 1)  Naval reserves( 2)  Territorial army( 3)  Royal auxiliary air force  MOD civilian personnel 
			 1997 210,820 4,260 n/a 2,020 133,330 
			 1998 210,140 4,440 n/a 2,490 126,290 
			 1999 208,640 4,520 n/a 2,620 123,010 
			 2000 207,610 4,820 n/a 2,740 121,290 
			 2001 205,650 4,830 n/a 2,570 118,170 
			 2002 204,680 4,980 n/a 2,590 110,090 
			 2003 206,910 4,910 n/a 2,580 107,580 
			 2004 207,020 4,480 38,320 2,580 109,050 
			 2005 201,100 4,360 37,260 2,450 108,470 
			 2006 195,850 n/a 38,460 2,300 103,380 
			 2007(4) 190,400 3,680 36,790 (p)2,160 97,690 
			 2008(5) 187,060 3,590 (p)35,020 (p)2,200 89,500 
			 2009(6) 188,370 n/a (p)35,350 n/a 86,620 
		
	
	The following table shows the strength of regular military and civilian personnel in Yorkshire and the Humber Government Office Region (GOR). Civilian strength is reported in full-time equivalent (FTE) for MOD permanent and casual personnel only. GOR breakdown excludes trading funds, royal fleet auxiliaries and locally engaged civilians.
	
		
			   Regular military personnel( 1)  MOD civilian personnel 
			 2001 n/a 2,880 
			 2002 13,760 2,840 
			 2003(7) n/a 3,400 
			 2004(7) n/a 3,770 
			 2005 13,830 3,790 
			 2006 13,040 3,700 
			 2007 13,790 3,590 
			 2008 13,530 3,560 
			 2009 14,730 3,640 
		
	
	The following table shows the strength of regular military and civilian personnel in North Yorkshire. Civilian strength is reported in full-time equivalent (FTE) for MOD permanent and casual personnel only. Local authority level breakdown excludes trading funds, royal fleet auxiliaries and locally engaged civilians.
	
		
			   Regular military personne( 1)  MOD civilian personnel 
			 2002 12,000 n/a 
			 2003(7) n/a n/a 
			 2004(7) n/a n/a 
			 2005 12,690 n/a 
			 2006 11,880 2,000 
			 2007 12,540 1,980 
			 2008 12,140 1,950 
			 2009 13,310 1,930 
		
	
	The following table shows the strength of regular military and civilian personnel in City of York. Civilian strength is reported in full-time equivalent (FTE) for MOD permanent and casual personnel only. Local authority level breakdown excludes trading funds, royal fleet auxiliaries and locally engaged civilians.
	
		
			   Regular military personnel( 1)  MOD civilian personnel 
			 2002 640 n/a 
			 2003(7) n/a n/a 
			 2004(7) n/a n/a 
			 2005 730 n/a 
			 2006 710 760 
			 2007 800 650 
			 2008 840 650 
			 2009 880 680 
			 n/a = not available p = provisional (1) UK Regular forces includes all trained and untrained personnel. Gurkhas, full-time Reserve personnel, and mobilised reservists are excluded. (2) Includes the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marine Reserve. (3) Territorial Army data prior to 2004 are not available. (4) 2007 Territorial Army data are as at 1 March. (5) 2008 Territorial Army data are as at 1 June. (6) Data on Naval Reserves and Royal Auxiliary Air Force at 1 April 2009 are due to be published in September 2009 (7) 2003-04 Regular military stationed location figures are not available because of concerns over data quality.  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to avoid systematic bias.

Departmental Manpower

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian staff his Department  (a) employed in each of the last three years,  (b) employs and  (c) plans to employ in each of the next three years.

Kevan Jones: Table 1 comprises the total number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence at each 1 April point since 2006.
	
		
			  Table 1: Total civilian personnel strengths 
			   FTE 
			   Civilian Level 1  Civilian Level 0 
			 April 2006 78,140 103,380 
			 April 2007 73,780 97,690 
			 April 2008 69,050 89,500 
			 April 2009 66,440 86,620 
			  Notes: 1. Civilian Level 1 includes all permanent and casual civilian personnel and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, but excludes Trading Funds and Locally Engaged Civilians. 2. Civilian Level 0 contains all those at Level 1 plus Trading Funds and Locally Engaged Civilians. 3. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. Numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 4. Full time equivalence counts part time staff by the number of hours they work as a proportion of their full time conditioned hours.  Source:  DASA (Quad-Service). 
		
	
	The projected numbers of civilian staff employed across MOD for the remainder of this Spending Review period ending April 2011 are set out in Table 2.
	
		
			  Table 2: Current Level 0 FTE projections 
			   Civilian Level 0 (FTE) 
			 1 April 2010 (projected) (1)84,000 
			 1 April 2011 (projected) (1)81,500 
			 (1 )Provisional  Source:  Stat Mann. 
		
	
	Data provided are provisional and subject to review. As the Department develops more mature plans for the delivery of the required input savings and outsourcing then these figures will be subject to change.

Departmental Work Experience

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) paid and  (b) unpaid graduate internships his Department has awarded in each of the last six months.

Kevan Jones: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

EU Law

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the statutory obligations upon it provided for in legislation introduced as a consequence of obligations arising from EU legislation in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The Department has a responsibility to ensure that it complies with all relevant EU legislation. The cost of complying with these obligations is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Future Lynx Helicopters

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when he expects the first Future Lynx helicopters to enter service;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the procurement of Future Lynx helicopters;
	(3)  what his policy is on proceeding with the Future Lynx contract.

Quentin Davies: There are two variants of the Future Lynx aircraft which is now known as the Lynx Wildcat. The first aircraft is due to enter service in January 2012, leading to an initial operating capability in 2014 for the Army's Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter (BRH) and in 2015 for the Royal Navy's Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft (SCMR). A contract has been agreed with AgustaWestland for the procurement of 62 Lynx Wildcat aircraft. The total cost of the demonstration and manufacture of the project is forecast to be some £1.7 billion.

Gurkhas: Pensions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Gurkha soldiers who retired prior to 1997 would have qualified for a British Army pension given their length of service, if eligibility for a British Army pension was extended to such soldiers.

Kevan Jones: There are no plans to extend eligibility to transfer from the Gurkha pension scheme (GPS) to the armed force pension scheme (AFPS) to those Gurkhas who retired before 1 July 1997. Their pension arrangements have been found to be fair and lawful in two Judicial Reviews and a High Court appeal.
	However, of the recipients of the GPS who retired before 1 July 1997 (which includes Gurkha veterans, their widows or dependants), it is estimated that about 1,800, would, by length of service or because of disability, be qualified for an immediate pension from the date of their discharge under the AFPS. A further 8,800 who were discharged after 1 April 1975 would be qualified for a preserved pension under the AFPS from the age of 60.
	Those Gurkha service pensioners who served for less than 22 years and who discharged before 1 April 1975, would not be entitled to a service pension since there were no preserved pensions prior to the introduction of AFPS 75.

Helicopters

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average cost is of upgrading a Merlin helicopter for use in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: It is envisaged that all 28 Merlin Mk3/3a helicopters will be upgraded at a cost in the region of £42 million. This equates to an average of £1.5 million per aircraft. These figures are lower than previously reported and stated in the written answer my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Hutton), gave on 2 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1364W, to the hon. Member for Congleton. This is due to improved maturity in our cost estimates following work undertaken in the intervening period.

Helicopters

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the conversion of the eight Mark 3 Chinook helicopters; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: The conversion of the Chinook Mk3 helicopters is progressing well. The first successful test flight of the modified aircraft took place in June 2009. This is a significant milestone on the project. The programme is on schedule to deliver the first aircraft to operational commanders later this year.

HMS Invincible

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for the disposal of HMS Invincible.

Quentin Davies: HMS Invincible is currently in a state of very low readiness and on present plans she will be withdrawn from service in 2010. Once she has been declared surplus to Royal Navy requirements, all disposal options will be considered.

Military Aircraft

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training sorties have been flown by each aircraft type in each of the armed forces in each year since 2003.

Bill Rammell: Training does not cease after pilots have completed their formal training but continues throughout their flying career because all operational flying contains an element of training. The information is not held in the format requested; either by the number of training sorties undertaken during basic flying training or by qualified personnel undertaking training on other aircraft types. In addition, flying is not recorded by the number of sorties undertaken by individual pilots. Furthermore, the number of hours flown during basic flying training is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Military Aircraft Reach and Sustainability Programme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce decisions on the future of the Military Aircraft Reach and Sustainability programme.

Quentin Davies: The requirements and procurement strategy for the Military Aircraft Reach and Sustainability programme are currently under review and we expect to announce a way forward later this year.

Military Aircraft: Training

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) required and  (b) actual number of training instructors for each Royal Air Force aircraft type was in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Historical information for each of the last five years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The required and actual training instructor number for each aircraft type in the armed forces as at 9 July 2009 is provided in the following table. These figures are for RAF flying instructors in current flying instructional positions of all ranks.
	Training instructor numbers fluctuate on a day by day basis as individuals are reassigned, medically downgraded or leave the service. The overall aircraft fleet is currently undergoing significant change with some aircraft types drawing down and new aircraft coming into service, such as with the rapid expansion of the Merlin Force. Numbers of training instructors are responding to reflect these changes and action is being taken to ensure that current operations are not affected.
	
		
			  Aircraft type  Required training instructors  Actual training instructors 
			 Hercules C130J 37 38 
			 Hercules C130K 8 8 
			 VC10 25 22 
			 TriStar 5 5 
			 C17A 3 3 
			 HS125 1 1 
			 BAe146 1 1 
			 Tornado GR4 50 39 
			 Typhoon 27 20 
			 Tornado F3 0 0 
			 Harrier GR9 8 11 
			 Nimrod MR2/MR4 32 29 
			 Nimrod R1 7 7 
			 Sentinel R1 5 5 
			 E3D 25 21 
			 King Air 30 24 
			 Dominie 34 32 
			 Tutor EFT 33 45 
			 Tutor UAS 15 21 
			 Tucano 51 49 
			 Hawk 71 60 
			 Puma 19 21 
			 Chinook 25 23 
			 Merlin 17 15 
			 Squirrel 19 18 
			 Sea King 15 12 
			 Griffin 49 45 
			 Augusta 109 1 1 
			 Reaper 1 1 
			 Islander 1 1

Military Bases: Northern Ireland

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2009,  Official Report, column 558W, on gifts and endowments, which military bases in Northern Ireland were sold to the Northern Ireland Executive; and at what cost.

Kevan Jones: To date, three sites have been sold to the Northern Ireland Executive at market value. They are Grosvenor Barracks, Enniskillen at £15.45 million, Girdwood Barracks, Belfast at £7 million and Clooney Barracks, Londonderry at £12.78 million.
	In addition, working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department of Social Development, Oaklee Housing Association were appointed to take ownership of 112 former Ministry of Defence houses at Pond Park, Lisburn which were sold for £7 million in financial year 2008-09.

Navy

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's plans are for replacing the Royal Navy's mine countermeasures vessels.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 891-92W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

Navy: Manpower

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many naval officers are serving on all ships in commission, including those in refit.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answers my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 127W and 4 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1257W.

Nuclear Weapons

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a British nuclear deterrent system consisting of  (a) land-based,  (b) air-launched and  (c) ship-borne nuclear cruise missiles would be compatible with the provisions of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Bob Ainsworth: The 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty is a bilateral treaty between the US and Russia. The UK is not a state party to the treaty and our nuclear deterrent is not bound by its provisions.

Nuclear Weapons

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the lifetime cost of a replacement system for Trident.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 July 2009,  Official Report, column 19W, to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael).

Parachute Training

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much expenditure on parachute training his Department has incurred in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The figures provided in the following table show the operating and staff costs for: No 1 Parachute Training School (PTS), RAF Brize Norton; its Parachute Support Wings; and the Joint Service Parachute Centres (JSPC). The training undertaken by the PTS and its support wings provide basic parachute training and specialist high altitude training. The JSPCs undertake freefall parachute training as part of military adventurous training.
	
		
			   Cost (£ million) 
			 2004-05 5.2 
			 2005-06 5.5 
			 2006-07 5.0 
			 2007-08 4.6 
			 2008-09 5.5 
		
	
	The costs include those incurred by the RAF Falcons Display team which cannot be separated. However, the majority of team members are instructors and their display activities are considered to be training in free-fall techniques which they then use in their role as instructors. Military aircraft costs are excluded as they have already been programmed as part of the RAF Management Plan and would be incurred whether the aircraft were used for parachute training or other activities.
	During financial year 2005-06 the Parachute Support Wings were restructured, which is a contributory factor in the drop in costs in subsequent years.

Permanent Joint Headquarters

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons there is no permanent representation of  (a) the Stabilisation Unit and  (b) the Joint Cimic Group at Permanent Joint Headquarters.

Bob Ainsworth: There are good working relationships between the Ministry of Defence, Stabilisation Unit and the Joint Civil-Military Co-ordination Group at all levels. No requirement has been identified for permanent representation of the Stabilisation Unit or the Joint Civil-Military Co-ordination Group at the Permanent Joint Headquarters given the close engagement that exists on a wide range of issues.
	There is an increasingly capable joint effort in Afghanistan brought together through the Civil Military Mission Helmand which is staffed by civilian personnel from across Whitehall and the armed forces.

Piracy

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) of 29 June 2009,  Official Report, column 46W, on piracy: Navy, on what authority the Royal Navy has seized weapons during the boarding of pirate vessels in the last 12 months.

Bill Rammell: In the last 12 months, the Royal Navy has seized weapons from suspected pirates in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 105.

Principal Anti Air Missile System: HMS Daring

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost to the public purse is of the Principal Anti Air Missile System; and what the estimated cost is of the construction of HMS Daring.

Quentin Davies: As set out in the Major Projects Report 2008 (MPR08), the total procurement cost of the Type 45 programme is £6.5 billion. This includes the design and manufacture costs for all six Type 45s to be built and the Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS), renamed Sea Viper by the Royal Navy. These costs are broadly split 60 per cent. for the ship and 40 per cent. for the weapons system. As set out in MPR08, the unit production cost for each Type 45, including PAAMS, is £649 million.

RAF Regiment Field Squadron

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the UK basing arrangements for the new RAF Regiment Field Squadron.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement 'RAF Force Protection Wing' released on 9 July 2009,  Official Report, column 51WS. The new RAF Regiment Field Squadron will be based at either RAF Shawbury or RAF Leuchars. The final outcome of the study to determine the optimum basing solution is expected by autumn 2009.

RFA Fort Austin

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long RFA Fort Austin is planned to remain in extended readiness; and for what reasons it is not being used.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahago (Mr. Ingram), gave to him on 3 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1854W. It is MOD policy not to publish details of the readiness states of individual Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels or types.

Thermobaric Weapons

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times thermobaric weapons have been used by UK armed forces in each of the last 12 months.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 23 June 2009
	UK armed forces use variants of the AGM-114N Hellfire missile, which is an enhanced blast weapon, in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence does not classify this weapon as thermobaric. It is, however, sometimes referred to as such in the media. The following table provides details of the number of enhanced blast munitions fired on operations over the last 12 months.
	
		
			  Number 
			 June 2008 5 
			 July 2008 3 
			 August 2008 3 
			 September 2008 3 
			 October 2008 1 
			 November 2008 2 
			 December 2008 0 
			 January 2009 3 
			 February 2009 4 
			 March 2009 13 
			 April 2009 3 
			 May 2009 3 
			 Total 43

Wind Power: Heysham

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department has objected to the siting of a wind turbine by British Telecom at Heysham, Morecambe.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence has objected to the Heysham development on the grounds that the turbines would cause unacceptable interference to air traffic control radar at the nearby Warton airfield. It is believed that this would unacceptably jeopardise flight safety in the airspace around the turbines.
	We are working with the developer and hope that we can find mitigation measures to enable us to remove our objection. Failing this, the objection will be maintained.

TREASURY

Assets: Sales

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 29 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 21-41, on Building Britain's Future, what categories of asset he plans to include in the proposed £16 billion asset sale.

Liam Byrne: Budget 2009 announced that new incentives and mechanisms would be introduced with the aim of realising up to £16 billion of property and other asset sales over the period 2011-14. This comprises fixed asset sales. As announced in Building Britain's future, the Shareholder Executive will be strengthened by the appointment of a board of external experts to support this agenda.

Banks

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many banks he has visited on official business in the last 12 months.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 10 June 2009,  Official Report, column 901W.

Budget 2009

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the Budget 2009 Report his Department ordered; and what the cost was of that order.

Stephen Timms: HM Treasury ordered 1,800 copies of the Budget 2009 report at a cost of £41,000. This figure has been rounded to the nearest thousand pounds and excludes VAT.

Business: Government Assistance

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been made under the working capital scheme for small and medium-sized businesses to date.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The Working Capital Scheme is not available directly to businesses. The scheme enables participating banks to increase the amount of working capital they can make available to businesses.
	By guaranteeing portfolios of working capital facilities, this will release regulatory capital held by the banks against these portfolios. The banks have agreed they will make commitments to re-deploy this capital in order to increase all types of lending to Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Mid Size Corporates above their current base line.
	We have signed £1 billion of guarantees with RBS and Lloyds for portfolios of £2 billion. The financing for businesses it releases has already started from 1 March as a result of the lending agreements based on the Asset Protection Scheme and WCS. We will be allocating from the £10 billion WCS, guarantees for trade credit insurance in response to the constraint to working capital arising from withdrawal of trade credit insurance. We will also be consulting on the viability of using some of these guarantees for letters of credit and other forms of export finance which are also possible areas of constraint for working capital.

Charities

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with charities which have lost money as a result of the collapse of Icelandic banks.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Government take the problems faced by the charities affected by the Icelandic banking collapse seriously and Treasury Ministers-the Financial Services Secretary and the Economic Secretary-along with the Minister for the Third Sector, have met with representatives of the charities to understand the challenges they face.

Child Trust Fund

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the Child Trust Fund annual report for 2009.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: There is no date fixed for the publication of the next Child Trust Fund Annual Statistical Report.

Child Trust Fund

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of stakeholder child trust funds which have decreased in monetary value since they were taken out; and what estimate he has made of the average monetary value of such decreases.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: HM Revenue and Customs does not hold data on how many individual child trust fund accounts have fallen or risen in value, nor what the average rise or fall in those values has been. Child trust funds are long-term investments, and the first accounts will not mature until 2020.

Child Trust Fund: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children in  (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and  (b) the London Borough of Bexley had received child trust fund payments by the latest date for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The most recent constituency level statistics on child trust fund accounts were published on 6 November 2008 and can be viewed on the HM Revenue and Customs website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ctf/cons-stats-oct08.pdf
	There were 11,700 children born before 6 April 2007 in the London borough of Bexley who have a child trust fund account.

Child Trust Fund: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children in  (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency,  (b) Dacorum and  (c) Hertfordshire had received Child Trust Fund payments on the latest date for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: In Hertfordshire there were 57,300 children born before 6 April 2007 who have a child trust fund account. Similarly in Dacorum there were 7,100 such children.
	I referred the hon. Member to the constituency level data available on the HM Revenue and Customs website in my answer to him on 2 July 2009,  Official Report, column 422W.

Contracts

Anne McGuire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research has been carried out into the number of contracts for goods or services let by the Government which are then sub-contracted by the prime contractor.

Ian Pearson: No specific research has been carried out into the number of contracts let by Government which are then subcontracted.
	The Glover report, Accelerating the SME economic engine, refers to limited research conducted by Middlesex university and to earlier external research, both covering SME subcontracting and is available at:
	www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Accelerating_the_ SME_Economic_Engine.pdf

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury last met Mr. Damian McBride in the course of his official duties.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The duties and responsibilities of the Chief Whip are not matters for the Treasury. However, I understand that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury has not met Mr, Damian McBride in the course of his official duties.

Departmental Accountancy

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish his Department's resource accounts for 2008-09.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department's resource accounts for 2008-09 have been published.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of employees in his Department are on a  (a) flexible working contract and  (b) job share employment contract.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Treasury offers flexible working and job share to staff where operational constraints permit in order to improve work/life balance. Many flexible working arrangements including job share are made informally between managers and staff and are therefore not formally recorded. This information could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Flags

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many flags his Department owns; and what the cost of maintaining them was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Treasury owns five flags on which no maintenance costs are incurred.

Departmental Flowers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on flowers in each of the last five years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: For information on spending on flowers by the Department, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 February 2009,  Official Report, column 2101W to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt). Spending in 2004-05 on flowers was the same as in 2005-06.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on the maintenance of his Departmental website in each of the last two years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: For previous answer referring to maintenance costs of the departmental website for the last two years, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 10 June 2009,  Official Report, column 901W.

Economic Growth

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on economic growth rates over the next two financial years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Treasury's latest assessment of the economy was published in Budget 2009 (HC 407). HM Treasury continues to monitor all relevant factors to inform its assessment of the UK economy, and has regular engagements with outside organisations including relevant Government Departments on a range of issues relating to the economy.

Empty Property

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which public bodies are not required to report their actual and vacant property to the e-PIMS database.

Ian Pearson: The following public bodies are not required to report their actual and vacant property to the e-PIMS database:
	1. HM Court Service Courts
	2. Laboratories
	3. Other specialist facilities owned, leased and occupied by central Departments, agencies and NDPB's such as museums, power stations and port facilities
	4. Civil engineering infrastructure owned, leased and used by central Departments, agencies and NDPB's such as flood defences, roads, canals and railways.
	5. English Heritage estate.
	6. Historic Royal Palaces.
	7. Defence military estate.
	8. Prisons estate.
	9. NHS Estate, e.g. hospitals,
	10. DEFRA estate e.g. farms.
	11. F and CO and Home Office overseas estate.
	12. Doctors' surgeries and clinics.
	13. Schools.
	14. Higher Education facilities.
	15. Police stations.
	16. Fire stations.
	17. All local government estate.
	18. The Crown estate.
	19. Parliament's estate.
	20. Public corporations' estate
	21. Devolved assemblies.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2009,  Official Report, column 325W, on EU grants and loans: Wales, whether monies received by the Welsh Assembly Government from the EU Convergence Programme are paid through his Department.

Liam Byrne: The European Commission makes cash payments from the EU Convergence Programme direct to the United Kingdom paying authorities, including the devolved Administrations, not through HM Treasury.

EU Law

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the statutory obligations upon it provided for in legislation on matters for which it is responsible which were introduced as a consequence of obligations arising from EU legislation in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It is very difficult to provide precise figures for the proportion of UK legislation that stems from the European Union.

Holiday Homes

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what consultation he undertook before deciding to reclassify income from holiday lets as unearned income;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the effects on the revenue of the Exchequer of reclassifying income from holiday lets as unearned income.

Ian Pearson: The Government are not reclassifying income from holiday lets as unearned income.
	Income from furnished holiday lettings will continue to be assessed as property income, but after the repeal of the FHL rules, it will no longer be treated as trade income for certain purposes.
	This change was necessary because the FHL rules may not be compliant with EU law, it was therefore not appropriate to consult on whether a change should be made.
	The repeal was announced in the Budget 2009 in order to provide advance notice of the change, and allow those affected time to plan. Although a formal consultation is not planned, the Government do intend to publish draft legislation at the pre-Budget report, and will be happy to receive comments at that time.
	Estimates of the revenue impact of this change were published at Budget 2009, and an impact assessment will be published at PBR 2009 alongside the draft legislation.

Holiday Homes

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people claimed tax relief for expenditure on furnished holiday letting properties in each of the last five years; and how much was claimed in relief in each of those years.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 5 May 2009, for estimates for 2006-07, the last full year for which information is available. Estimates for earlier years are of a similar magnitude.

Housing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the sale and rent back market.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors to discuss as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
	On 1 July 2009, the Government extended the scope of Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulation to include sale and rent back agreements. The FSA's regime affords borrowers important protections and provides consumers with means of redress in case they experience problems. More information on the FSA's regime is available at:
	http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Policy/Policy/2009/09_09.shtml

Housing: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 682W, on housing: valuation, what the value significance of each individual locality reference in each valuation area in the  (a) North East and  (b) North West is.

Stephen Timms: A list of locality reference numbers, ranked in order of value significance by valuation area within the areas covered by  (a) the Government Office for the North East and  (b) the Government Office for the North West, has been placed in the Library. The list is based on data extracted between 9 June 2009 and 17 June 2009.
	Information that identifies the extent of each locality can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Individual Savings Accounts: Pensions

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the merits of permitting persons with a value of £250,000 or over to add the proceeds of such accounts to their personal pension provisions in return for a guarantee of retirement with immediate effect.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Individual investors are free to use their savings from individual savings accounts as they choose. Any contributions to registered pension schemes will be subject to the tax rules that apply to those schemes. Those rules include limits on the amount of tax relief that is provided.

Industrial Health and Safety: Training

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on health and safety training in each of the last two years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Estimated external expenditure on health and safety training was £36,500 in 2007-08 and £40,000 in 2008-09. Other information and training for officials is provided by our in-house health and safety team and costs cannot be identified separately from their other duties.

Members: Correspondence

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when the Financial Secretary plans to respond to the letter from the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire of 31 March 2009 on the KSFIOM Depositors Group;
	(2)  when the Financial Secretary will respond to the letter from the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire of 31 March 2009 on the KSFIOM Depositors Group.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: A reply has been sent to the right hon. Member.

Members: Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2009,  Official Report, column 778W, on Members: correspondence, for what reason the Answer did not set out the information requested on the time taken to reply.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The current economic and financial situation has given rise to a huge increase in the volume of correspondence received over the last 12 months in particular. There has been an increase of over 100 per cent. in Members' correspondence over the previous 12-month period, creating a considerable backlog, which HM Treasury is in the process of clearing. The hon. Member's correspondence was unfortunately part of that backlog and we apologise for the delay.

Members: Correspondence

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Torbay of 31 March 2009 on a constituent, Mr Robert Phillips of Torquay.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The hon. Member's correspondence was transferred to the Department of Works and Pension for reply.

Members: Correspondence

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Torbay of 9 April 2009 on the 2009 Budget; and what the reason is for the time taken to reply.

Stephen Timms: I have replied to the hon. Member.

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter of 10 June 2009 from the hon. Member for Walsall North, regarding a constituent, PO Ref: 6/00416/2009.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: A reply has been sent to the hon. Member.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will reply to the letters of 14 April and 20 May 2009 from the hon. Member for Forest of Dean, on funding for charities and loss of funds with KSF, reference FD1288.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 14 July.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letters of 16 April and 14 May 2009 from the hon. Member for Forest of Dean, on expatriates, reference FD7868.

Stephen Timms: The correspondence was transferred to the Department for Works and Pensions on 19 May and a notification sent to the hon. Member on that date.

Official Gifts

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the monetary value is of  (a) bequests and  (b) other gifts and donations made to the nation in each of the last five years; and how much was given (i) in the form of (A) cash, (B) works of art and (C) property and (ii) in other forms.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available.
	Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does hold information on bequests and gifts where tax relief has been claimed. However HMRC's data systems do not hold sufficient information to distinguish those which might be regarded as gifts to the nation.

Procurement

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has accepted the recommendations of the All-Party Parliamentary Small Business Group report on access to public procurement in respect of  (a) the introduction of specific proposals aimed at the micro-enterprise sector and  (b) the provision of feedback on unsuccessful bids; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government welcomed the report from the All-Party Parliamentary Small Business Group on 'SME Access to Public Procurement', which identified a similar set of barriers to SME participation as the Glover Review, 'Accelerating the Economic Engine'. The Government are now working to deliver the Glover recommendations, and will continue to take account of the needs of all businesses, including micro-enterprises.

Property

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of capital gains tax receipts which would have accrued from the UK property market if there had been no offshoring in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: No such estimate has been made.

Property Unit Trusts

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse was of the exemption from capital gains tax of authorised property unit trusts in the latest period for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested is not available.

Reforming Financial Markets: Public Consultation

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he received from representatives of  (a) bank employees and  (b) consumer groups during the drafting of the proposals contained in Reforming Financial Markets, Cm 7667.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Government are consulting widely on the proposals contained in Reforming Financial Markets-this includes a formal 12-week consultation process, which concludes on 30 September 2009.

Revenue and Customs: Communication Service Providers

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests for communications data were made by HM Revenue and Customs to communication service providers (CSPs) under the Taxes Management Act 1970 in  (a) 2000,  (b) 2001,  (c) 2002,  (d) 2003,  (e) 2004,  (f) 2005,  (g) 2006,  (h) 2007 and  (i) 2008; and how many of these requests resulted in the requested communications data being disclosed by the relevant CSP.

Stephen Timms: Prior to 2005 when the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise merged to form HM Revenue AND Customs (HMRC) S.20 Notices under the Taxes Management Act were regularly sought by the Inland Revenue Inspectors of Taxes on a case by case basis and could be issued from any tax office and a copy retained in individual taxpayers folders. There was no form of central record of the issue of S.20 Notices and the type of information requested. It is therefore not possible to provide this information for this period.
	In February 2006 the HMRC Single Point of Contact (SpoC) for the acquisition and disclosure of communications data was designated as the National Telecoms Unit who are responsible for all departmental matters relating to communications data, including RIPA requests, witness statements and Production Orders. From 2006 onwards the HMRC SpoC has not issued any S.20 TMA Notices.

Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) administration assistants,  (b) assistant officers,  (c) officers,  (d) higher officers,  (e) senior officers,  (f) fast stream/trainees,  (g) Grade 7 employees,  (h) Grade 6 employees and  (i) senior civil servants there were in each HM Revenue and Customs office in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: A table setting out the number of staff in each grade at each HM Revenue and Customs office in each of the last five years has been placed in the Library.

Tax Credits

Ian Davidson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his most recent estimate is of the number of people in  (a) Scotland,  (b) Glasgow and  (c) Glasgow South West constituency claiming family tax credit;
	(2)  what his most recent estimate is of the number of people in  (a) Scotland,  (b) Glasgow and  (c) Glasgow South West constituency claiming working tax credit;
	(3)  what his most recent estimate is of the level of take-up of working tax credit in  (a) Scotland,  (b) Glasgow and  (c) Glasgow South West constituency;
	(4)  what his most recent estimate is of the level of take-up of family tax credit in  (a) Scotland,  (b) Glasgow and  (c) Glasgow South West constituency.

Stephen Timms: Working families tax credit was replaced by working tax credit and child tax credit in April 2003.
	The latest estimates of the average number of families benefiting from child and working tax credits in each Government office region, local authority and parliamentary constituency are published in the HM Revenue  Customs (HMRC) finalised awards geographical publication, Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics Finalised annual awards Geographical analyses for 2007-08. The publication is available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
	The most recent child tax credit (CTC) take-up rates for United Kingdom regions and countries are published on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-take-up2006-07.pdf.
	Child tax credit take-up rates are not available below these levels.
	Working tax credit take-up rates are not available for geographies below United Kingdom level.

Tax: Isle of Man

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Isle of Man government on Isle of Man tax reforms.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials hold periodic discussions with the Isle of Man.

Taxation: Banks

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the banking industry on a code of practice on tax for banks.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The consultation document on the Code of Practice on Taxation for banks was issued on 29 June 2009. Since then HM Revenue and Customs has been in regular contact with banks, their industry representatives and advisers regarding the issues arising from this.

Taxation: Domicil

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria his Department uses to determine when to investigate alleged tax fraud cases concerning  (a) non- domiciled status and  (b) other matters.

Stephen Timms: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs criminal investigation policy is available on its website. The criteria for investigating people with non-domiciled status are no different from those for people with domiciled status. A decision to investigate any specific case is based on the available evidence, along with the facts and features of the case.

Taxation: Pensioners

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of recipients of tax relief on pension contributions are women.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: There were 6.6 million women in receipt of tax relief on pension contributions. This represented 44 per cent. of all recipients. This information relates to 2008-09.

UK Financial Investments

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the chief executive of UK Financial Investments on its policy on publishing information about its activities.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: HM Treasury has regular discussions with UK Financial Investments and regularly monitors UKFI's performance against its objectives. It is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

VAT: Overpayments

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of  (a) the monetary value of claims lodged with HM Revenue and Customs for repayment of overpaid value added tax arising as a result of the decision of the House of Lords in the cases of Fleming and Conde Nast and  (b) the amount paid out by HM Revenue and Customs in respect of such claims.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 29 June 2009
	The Government have already made prudent provision in the public finances to represent tax and interest that might be repaid following this ruling.
	The total value of claims received by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as a result of the House of Lords decision in the joined cases of Michael Fleming t/a Bodycraft and Condé Nast Publications Ltd. is estimated at around £8.5 billion. Past experience of such claims suggests that many will prove either to be speculative, incorrect or otherwise overstated.
	In those cases so far verified by HMRC, around half the amount claimed by tax value has been refused following verification, and around £1.5 billion in tax and interest has been repaid to date. HMRC is also ensuring that taxpayers bring to account any direct tax liabilities created as a result of these repayments.
	The provision for future repayments of tax and associated interest will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary, to reflect HMRC's continuing experience in verifying these claims.

Working Tax Credit: Morecambe and Lunesdale

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency claimed working tax credit in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The average number of families benefiting from working tax credit in the Morecambe and Lunesdale parliamentary constituency was 3,720 for 2007-08.
	This information is given in the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) finalised awards geographical publication, Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics Finalised annual awards Geographical analyses, 2007-08, available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm

World Customs Organisation

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Minister is responsible for representing the Government's interest at the World Customs Organisation.

Stephen Timms: The World Customs Organization (WCO) is the only intergovernmental organisation with competence on Customs Issues. HM Revenue and Customs officials usually represent the UK's interests at WCO. I am the Minister responsible for Customs policy, and I am accountable to Parliament for HMRC.

Zimbabwe

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value of local Zimbabwean bonds held by his Department was in each of the last 10 years, expressed in  (a) Zimbabwean dollars and  (b) pounds sterling.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The value held in the last 10 years is zero: local Zimbabwe bonds are not held in the UK's foreign currency reserves (the Exchange Equalisation Account).

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of local government formula funding has been spent on tackling anti-social behaviour in 2009-10 to date.

Alan Campbell: Information on the amount spent by local authorities on tackling antisocial behaviour is not collected centrally. In both England and Wales, it is for local partnerships to agree how the grants received should be allocated against locally determined priorities, including tackling antisocial behaviour.

Asylum

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 1040-41W, on asylum, how many of the 500 Iraqi refugees identified for resettlement during 2008-09 under the Gateway Protection Programme are being or have been resettled from Syria.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 9 February 2009
	 I wrote to my hon. Friend on 17 July 2009.

Asylum: Iran

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the effects on policy on Iranian asylum seekers of the recent unrest in Iran.

Phil Woolas: We have not received any such representations. We continue to monitor closely the political and human rights situation in Iran through key governmental, non-governmental and other human rights organisations. The visa operation in Tehran is monitored on a daily basis by the UK Border Agency and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
	The asylum determination process assesses the protection needs of claimants and where the recent unrest in Iran impacts directly on the circumstances of an individual claimant, then it is duly considered as part of that individual's claim.
	All Iranian asylum and human rights applications are considered by the Home Office on their individual merits, in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN refugee convention and the European convention on human rights (ECHR).
	Each application is assessed against the latest available information about the situation in Iran. Specially-trained case owners consult these sources via the Iran Country of Origin Information Report produced by UKBA's Country of Origin Information Service, and the Iran Operational Guidance Note which gives guidance on the most common types of asylum claims received and the circumstances in which they are likely to prove founded or unfounded.

Asylum: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who entered through Northern Ireland airports in the last 12 months have presented as  (a) having no identification,  (b) being juveniles without any identification and  (c) being juveniles without any identification and have subsequently absconded from social services accommodation.

Phil Woolas: I have written to the hon. Member.

Asylum: Offenders

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals of each nationality who have been released from UK prisons since 2005 have subsequently applied for asylum in the UK.

Phil Woolas: Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html

Borders: Police

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding his Department has allocated to border policing in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Local forces have responsibility for policing at the border. However, between 1998-99 and 2008-09 the Home Office contribution to these costs rose from £121.4 million to £222.4 million, an increase of 83.2 per cent. over this period.
	The costs of police at ports are met as part of the forces overall policing duties and the division of these funds is a matter for each force, in consultation with the police authority. In some cases, such as where an airport is designated under the Aviation Security Act 1982, contributions are provided by airport operators. Provisions included within the Police and Crime Bill currently being debated in the other place, include the requirement for all airports to provide such contributions. No central record is kept of these costs.
	In addition, between April 1998 and April 2009 the Home Office made a contribution to the costs of special branch officers at ports as a part of the dedicated security post grants. From April 2009 funding of these posts will be made as part of the wider funding of police counter terrorism activity. The overall level of the dedicated security post grants for the years it was allocated is detailed in the following table. For security reasons, we do not disclose the breakdown of this grant between different security functions.
	
		
			   £ million 
			 1998-99 121.4 
			 1999-2000 142.5 
			 2000-01 146.8 
			 2001-02 154.5 
			 2002-03 155.3 
			 2003-04 196.5 
			 2004-05 203.4 
			 2005-06 212.6 
			 2006-07 212.6 
			 2007-08 212.6 
			 2008-09 222.4

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) officials of his Department accompanied him to Glasgow for the Cabinet meeting on 16 April 2009;
	(2)  what car journeys he took in attending the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009;
	(3)  how much expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009;
	(4)  what expenditure on  (a) travel,  (b) accommodation and  (c) food he (i) incurred and (ii) officials in his Department in connection with the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.

Phil Woolas: The then Home Secretary was accompanied by two officials during the Cabinet. No special advisers travelled.
	For security reasons we do not disclose details of the Home Secretary's travel arrangements.
	The cost incurred by the two officials supporting the Home Secretary came to a total of £926.45, including the cost of return flights, accommodation and meals.
	For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

CCTV

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding his Department has allocated to  (a) local authorities and  (b) police forces for the installation and operation of CCTV cameras fitted with microphones in the last 12 months.

David Hanson: There has been no specific funding issued to local authorities or police forces for CCTV cameras fitted with microphones.
	Between 1999 and 2003, £170 million of Home Office capital funding was made available to local authorities for investment in public space CCTV. Around 680 CCTV town centre schemes were set up with this funding.

Closed Circuit Television: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding allocated by his Department has been spent on closed circuit television in York since 1997.

David Hanson: Yorkshire and Humberside (information is not available on a constituency-by-constituency basis) received a total of £20,357,137 as part of the Home Office Crime and Disorder Reduction Programme, between 1997 and 2003. No further funding has specifically been provided for the installation of town centre CCTV security systems by the Home Office since 2003. However, crime reduction funding could have been used by Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships for CCTV.

Community Relations: Finance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1482W, on community relations: finance, which 33 projects receive funding from the £5.8 million fund to disrupt violent extremism; and how much each of these projects will receive in 2008-09 and in each of the two subsequent years.

David Hanson: The information requested is given in the table.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Project  2008-09( 1)  2009-10( 1)  2010-11( 1) 
			 UKBA West Midlands Pilot 190,000 - - 
			 Metropolitan Police Service 57,511 74,489 - 
			 Swindon 14,560 50,440 - 
			 Government Office East Midlands 191,251 608,749 480,530 
			 Government Office West Midlands 52,665 242,335 - 
			 Enfield Borough Council and Enfield Police 161,000 144,000 - 
			 Lambeth Community safety Partnership 12,000 84,500 - 
			 Wandsworth Borough Council 11,500 28,500 - 
			 Slough Borough Council 50,000 56,750 - 
			 Barnet Borough Council 51,300 59,520 - 
			 Brent Borough Council 96,082 115,918 - 
			 DIUS capacity building in Higher Education Sector 125,000 - - 
			 Universities for North East 15,631 29,369 - 
			 London Borough of Croydon 243,000 - - 
			 London Borough of Newham 7,500 27,500 - 
			 Cambridgeshire Police 56,000 - - 
			 Crawley Borough Council 130,000 149,000 - 
			 Birmingham City Council 48,500 49,086 - 
			 West Sussex County Council 8,100 112,900 - 
			 ACPO TAM 375,370 - - 
			 Plymouth Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and Plymouth City Council 61,594 31,406 - 
			 Leeds Counter Terrorism Unit 70,000 - - 
			 Avon and Somerset Police 30,000 49,000 - 
			 London Probation 58,000 190,000 190,000 
			 Mosaic Mentoring Network 60,000 185,000 148,000 
			 NOMS on behalf of HMP Woodhill 14,000 - - 
			 Government Office London 17,500 72,500 - 
			 Lancashire Constabulary 180,500 - - 
			 Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations 14,250 34,150 - 
			 Ealing Community and Voluntary Service 76,875 93,025 - 
			 South Yorkshire Constabulary - 50,000 - 
			 Institute of Community Cohesion (ICoCO) 55,000 - - 
			 Yorkshire Universities 45,000 45,000 - 
			 Total 2,579,689 2,583,137 818,530 
			 Grand total 5,981,356 
			 (1) These figures are correct at 7 July 2009

Crime

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of  (a) less serious wounding,  (b) harassment,  (c) assault without injury,  (d) criminal damage to a dwelling,  (e) criminal damage to a building other than a dwelling,  (f) criminal damage to a vehicle and  (g) other criminal damage which were deemed to be racially or religiously aggravated have been recorded in each police force area in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: The available information is given in the tables placed in the House Library. Racially aggravated offences have been included in the recorded crime series from 1999-2000. Religiously aggravated offences were added in 2002-03.

Crimes of Violence: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of violent crime committed in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available was perpetrated against (i) young people, (ii) families and (iii) pensioners.

Alan Campbell: The requested information is not collected centrally.
	Recorded crime data provided to the Home Office from each police force area cannot separately identify the individual circumstances of victims.

Criminal Records Bureau: Compensation

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been paid in compensation to people whose Criminal Records Bureau disclosure was delayed in each year since the inception of the disclosure service.

David Hanson: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) makes financial awards to redress customers for its maladministration in accordance with Treasury Policy. It calculates each award on the merit of the claim. Awards range from small consolatory payments for inconvenience, to larger sums representing actual loss. The CRB does not maintain separate statistics which distinguish delay from the other elements which merit an award.

Cybercrime

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what his most recent estimate is of the cost of e-crime to the economy;
	(2)  how much money was misappropriated through online fraud in the UK in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: These data are not kept centrally. The Government prosecute crimes on the basis of the offence committed and not the medium used. UK legislation does not distinguish between offences committed online or offline and so there are no estimated costs of e-crime or online fraud as a whole.

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date  (a) he and  (b) the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last met Mr. Damian McBride in the course of their official duties.

Alan Johnson: I have not met Damian McBride in the course of my ministerial duties, nor have I met him personally.

Demonstrations: Parliament Square

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether notice of the Tamil demonstration in Parliament Square and adjacent areas has been given to the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis under section 133 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005; and whether the Commissioner has given authorisation under section 134 of that Act.

David Hanson: I am informed by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police that many of those demonstrating in Parliament Square and the adjacent areas did not notify the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police of their intention to demonstrate in accordance with section 133 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
	On 20 April notice of a demonstration by the British Tamil Student society was given to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in accordance with section 133 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police authorised the demonstration notified to him as required under section 134(2) of the 2005 Act. I am further informed that a condition was placed on the organisers of this demonstration limiting the numbers of participants to 50 people.

Demos

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has any contracts with the think-tank Demos.

David Hanson: The Home Department has no current contract with Demos. However, in 2008 Demos was engaged to run workshops on counter terrorism and ethics, and international context courses.

Departmental Consultants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department and its agencies have spent on consultants in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: It is not possible to provide figures going back to 1997 without incurring disproportionate cost owing to a change in accounting systems during the intervening period. Available information on Home Department's consultancy expenditure from 2004-05 is as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			  Financial year  Home Department including  executive agencies  consultancy expenditure 
			 2004-05 139 
			 2005-06 139 
			 2006-07 148 
			 2007-08 96 
			 2008-09 140 
		
	
	This expenditure on consultancy services is associated with the high volume of major programmes currently underway across the Department to deliver new technologies and business change, providing skills not readily available within the civil service. Consultancy services are procured under strict oversight from Commercial Directorate and are negotiated and contracted in accordance with Office of Government and Commerce/National Audit Office guidelines.

Departmental Drinking Water

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on  (a) bottled water and  (b) water coolers in each of the last six months.

Phil Woolas: The requested information cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Flags

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many flags his Department  (a) owns and  (b) maintains; and what the cost of maintaining them was in the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: For the Home Office HQ at 2 Marsham street the Department has 10 flags including replacements. Union flag replacements are needed every three to six months according to weather conditions at a cost of around £130 per flag. Flag pole maintenance costs are not held separately as they are part of the building's overall PFI charge. Information on the number and annual cost of flags held across the rest of the Department is not held centrally.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on maintenance of its website in each year since 2007.

Phil Woolas: The costs of maintaining Home Office websites (i.e. hosting, licensing, domain registration, and updates but excluding staff costs) has been:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006-07 750,100 
			 2007-08 620,000 
			 2008-09 577,000

Departmental Secondment

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees of his Department have been posted to work in offices of hon. Members of each political party in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: Civil servants are required to act in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Code.
	Civil servants may shadow MPs as part of a programme run by the industry and Parliament Trust. Details on numbers of civil servants from this Department that have had such an attachment are not held centrally.

Deportation

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals with addresses in Burnley were deported in each of the last five years; and how many of them had committed a crime in the UK.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The chief executive of the UK Border Agency has regularly written to Home Affairs Select Committee in order to provide them with all the robust and accurate information available relating to foreign national criminals. Copies of these letters are available in the Library of the House.

Deportation: Prisoners

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign national prisoners who were released from prison between February 1999 and March 2006 have  (a) since been deported and  (b) remain at large.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 14 July 2009
	The Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency has regularly written to the Home Affairs Select Committee in order to provide all of the most robust and accurate information on the removal and deportation of foreign national prisoners, including those released from prison before March 2006. A copy of these letters are available in the Library of the House.

DNA: Databases

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many staff of each organisation authorised to use the national DNA database have been  (a) investigated,  (b) disciplined and  (c) dismissed for unauthorised or improper use of that database in each of the last five years;
	(2)  whether loss of data obtained from the national DNA database has been reported by any organisation which has access to  (a) the database and  (b) data from the database.

Alan Johnson: Direct access to information on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) is restricted to a limited number of designated personnel under the control of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), either directly, or under a contract awarded to the Forensic Science Service (FSS) for operation and maintenance of the NDNAD and development of its IT systems. Throughout the lifetime of the contract, the FSS are required to demonstrate compliance with specified security requirements. Police and law enforcement personnel do not have access to the information on the NDNAD, but receive reports from the NDNAD Delivery Unit of matches between DNA taken from crime scenes and that taken from individuals.
	In relation to those NPIA and FSS staff, there has been one instance of unauthorised use of the database during the last five years. This involved a contractor working for the FSS who was found to have used an administrator account on the IT system rather than his own. Following an investigation by the NPIA, no evidence of any improper access to database records was found. However, as use of the administrator account was in contravention of security procedures, the individual was removed from further work on the database. No incidents of unauthorised or improper use of match reports by police and law enforcement personnel have been reported to the NDNAD in the last five years.
	Since the NDNAD was set up in 1995, two instances of loss of data have been reported. These took place in February 2009 when the FSS faxed DNA reports intended for two police forces to incorrect fax numbers. In both instances, the faxes were either retrieved by the police or destroyed within 36 hours of the event. A thorough investigation was undertaken by the NPIA and reported to the Home Office. No evidence was found of any malicious intent by any individual.
	As a result of the investigation into this incident, an existing project to replace use of fax was accelerated. As from 17 April 2009, fax has no longer been used to transmit any DNA reports to forces. They are now sent in line with Cabinet Office guidance over a secure network either by email or as a web service on a secure network.

DNA: Databases

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any  (a) data and  (b) samples relating to profiles on the National DNA Database have been released to (i) commercial and (ii) research organisations in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 2 July 2009
	Requests for the release of data or samples relating to the DNA profiles held on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) must be approved by the NDNAD Strategy Board. Requests are also considered by the NDNAD Ethics Group, which makes recommendations to the Board on whether the request should be approved. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) lays down that DNA samples and the profiles derived from them can only be used for the purposes of prevention and detection of crime, the investigation of an offence, the conduct of a prosecution or, since April 2005, for the purposes of identifying a deceased person. In accordance with these requirements, the Board does not approve any research unless it has clear operational benefit to the police.
	Details of requests from commercial organisations for data or samples relating to profiles held on the NDNAD which have been approved by the NDNAD Strategy Board in each of the last three years and in 2009 to date can be found in the following table. No requests from research organisations have been approved during this time. The information provided from the NDNAD was anonymised (i.e. no details enabling individuals to be identified were supplied to the commercial organisations).
	
		
			   Details of request 
			 2006-07 Data requested by Cellmark Forensic Services to enable the further development of familial searching software. 
			  Data requested by LGC Forensics to enable the further development of familial searching software. 
			  Samples requested by LGC Forensics to enable the validation of a system to provide confirmation of rarely found types of DNA. 
			  Permission requested by Cellmark Forensic Services to provide profiles held by Cellmark to Cybergenetics. 
			 2007-08 No requests approved 
			 2008-09 No requests approved 
			 2009-10(1) No requests approved 
			 (1) As at 30 June 2009

DNA: Databases

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long records relating to those  (a) convicted of an offence and  (b) released without charge are kept on the national fingerprint database.

Alan Campbell: Fingerprints records are currently retained indefinitely on IDENT1 (the national fingerprint database) for persons arrested for a recordable offence, whether or not subject to a conviction or acquittal or no further action. Proposals on future retention policy are set out in the public consultation paper 'Keeping the right people on the DNA Database' published on 7 May 2009.

DNA: Databases

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made of people who were matched to a crime using the national DNA database but who were not subsequently charged with an offence in the latest period for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 30 June 2009,  Official Report, column 165W.

Driving Offences: Alcoholic Drinks

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) blood and  (b) urine samples related to suspected incidents of drink-driving were processed at each Forensic Science Service centre in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 30 June 2009
	The records on blood and urine tests carried out by the FSS are generated by the machines running the analysis. These records do not differentiate between tests on or for blood and urine and cannot be broken down by type. The detailed breakdown of combined blood and urine is outlined as follows:
	
		
			   Total samples analysed 
			 2003 20,833 
			 2004 20,361 
			 2005 17,683 
			 2006 13,336 
			 2007 10,228 
			 2008 9,257 
			 2009 (year to date) 4,385 
			 Total 96,083 
		
	
	The FSS estimates that 90 to 95 per cent. of these will be blood samples.
	The Chorley laboratory is the only FSS laboratory currently processing such samples. This has been the case for more than 10 years

Drug and Alcohol Action Team

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department allocated to each drug and alcohol action team in England in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09; and how much has been allocated for 2009-10.

Alan Campbell: The following tables show the amount of funding allocated to each DA(A)T in England in the periods 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 under each of the specified grant programmes:
	Table 1: Young People Substance Misuse Partnership Grant (YPSMPG)
	Table 2: Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) Main Grant
	Table 3: Alcohol Arrest Referral (AAR) Pilot Grant
	Since 2008-09, arrangements for the payment of the YPSMPG have seen one element of the previously pooled budget routed through area based grant which is paid to local authorities by communities and Local Government on a non ring-fenced basis to allow maximum local flexibility; and other elements are paid to youth offending teams through the Youth Justice Board or to primary care trusts through the pooled treatment budget.
	
		
			  Table 1:  Young People Substance Misuse Partnership Grant (YPSMPG): Home Office allocations for young people substance misuse services 
			  £ 
			  DAAT  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  Total allocations 
			 Barking and Dagenham 114,008 78,857 78,857 271,722 
			 Barnet 126,888 99,214 99,214 325,316 
			 Barnsley 98,104 55,500 55,500 209,104 
			 Bath and NE Somerset 49,691 30,589 30,589 110,869 
			 Bedfordshire 108,350 71,597 71,597 251,544 
			 Bexley 82,103 58,202 58,202 198,507 
			 Birmingham 529,274 427,308 427,308 1,383,890 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 85,922 48,017 48,017 181,956 
			 Blackpool 78,513 43,245 43,245 165,003 
			 Bolton 191,121 149,899 149,899 490,919 
			 Bournemouth 58,467 40,776 40,776 140,019 
			 Bracknell Forest 35,621 22,238 22,238 80,097 
			 Bradford 346,561 286,332 286,332 919,225 
			 Brent 169,467 136,677 136,677 442,821 
			 Brighton and Hove 101,560 70,782 70,782 243,124 
			 Bristol 243,618 202,971 202,971 649,560 
			 Bromley 97,691 72,952 72,952 243,595 
			 Buckinghamshire 117,902 79,989 79,989 277,880 
			 Bury 75,812 45,376 45,376 166,564 
			 Calderdale 155,228 120,943 120,943 397,114 
			 Cambridgeshire 142,737 88,565 88,565 319,867 
			 Camden 223,325 187,363 187,363 598,051 
			 Cheshire 180,544 122,306 122,306 425,156 
			 City of London 2,710 2,089 2,089 6,888 
			 Cornwall 167,393 102,763 102,763 372,919 
			 Coventry 137,228 96,843 96,843 330,914 
			 Croydon 154,167 120,020 120,020 394,207 
			 Cumbria 175,939 90,052 90,052 356,043 
			 Darlington 51,296 24,032 24,032 99,360 
			 Derby 101,826 65,819 65,819 233,464 
			 Derbyshire 197,203 124,579 124,579 446,361 
			 Devon 211,851 125,887 125,887 463,625 
			 Doncaster 122,252 75,109 75,109 272,470 
			 Dorset 106,370 64,113 64,113 234,596 
			 Dudley 104,102 68,645 68,645 241,392 
			 Durham 181,028 115,930 115,930 412,888 
			 Ealing 226,969 194,847 194,847 616,663 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 90,396 45,851 45,851 182,098 
			 East Sussex 151,736 105,521 105,521 362,778 
			 Enfield 131,808 97,313 97,313 326,434 
			 Essex 346,858 253,094 253,094 853,046 
			 Gateshead 96,202 56,947 56,947 210,096 
			 Gloucestershire 159,408 104,628 104,628 368,664 
			 Greenwich 166,044 127,918 127,918 421,880 
			 Hackney 326,567 275,352 275,352 877,271 
			 Halton 64,113 42,369 42,369 148,851 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 135,641 107,898 107,898 351,437 
			 Hampshire 268,077 210,351 210,351 688,779 
			 Haringey 241,445 197,030 197,030 635,505 
			 Harrow 79,601 57,326 57,326 194,253 
			 Hartlepool 65,712 27,852 27,852 121,416 
			 Havering 73,608 51,438 51,438 176,484 
			 Herefordshire 58,831 30,568 30,568 119,967 
			 Hertfordshire 265,090 207,120 207,120 679,330 
			 Hillingdon 95,757 69,984 69,984 235,725 
			 Hounslow 112,438 85,044 85,044 282,526 
			 Isle of Wight Council 42,343 31,767 31,767 105,877 
			 Isles of Scilly(1) - - - - 
			 Islington 252,269 207,221 207,221 666,711 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 109,637 88,419 88,419 286,475 
			 Kent 386,581 283,217 283,217 935,105 
			 Kingston upon Hull 218,050 168,267 168,267 554,585 
			 Kingston upon Thames 50,419 36,539 36,539 123,497 
			 Kirklees 144,314 97,496 97,496 339,306 
			 Knowsley 122,932 75,080 75,080 273,092 
			 Lambeth 314,344 274,035 274,035 862,414 
			 Lancashire 358,613 260,553 260,553 879,719 
			 Leeds 411,448 347,660 347,660 1,106,768 
			 Leicester 148,627 103,746 103,746 356,119 
			 Leicestershire 136,968 82,514 82,514 301,996 
			 Lewisham 201,175 166,017 166,017 533,209 
			 Lincolnshire 200,624 110,353 110,353 421,330 
			 Liverpool 399,249 329,020 329,020 1,057,289 
			 Luton 91,744 61,732 61,732 215,208 
			 Manchester 397,828 330,739 330,739 1,059,306 
			 Medway 88,974 59,519 59,519 208,012 
			 Merton 79,836 61,224 61,224 202,284 
			 Middlesbrough 182,024 152,426 152,426 486,876 
			 Milton Keynes 81,475 54,495 54,495 190,465 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 137,326 92,798 92,798 322,922 
			 Newham 302,515 250,250 250,250 803,015 
			 Norfolk 299,859 145,613 145,613 591,085 
			 North East Lincolnshire 80,216 44,167 44,167 168,550 
			 North Lincolnshire 63,151 32,015 32,015 127,181 
			 North Somerset 56,512 33,557 33,557 123,626 
			 North Tyneside 87,037 54,177 54,177 195,391 
			 North Yorkshire 179,532 89,833 89,833 359,198 
			 Northamptonshire 190,872 127,851 127,851 446,574 
			 Northumberland 123,428 58,370 58,370 240,168 
			 Nottingham 238,203 187,121 187,121 612,445 
			 Nottinghamshire 213,683 142,917 142,917 499,517 
			 Oldham 108,551 68,959 68,959 246,469 
			 Oxfordshire 157,520 106,636 106,636 370,792 
			 Peterborough 75,148 46,296 46,296 167,740 
			 Plymouth 106,731 71,213 71,213 249,157 
			 Poole 39,302 27,975 27,975 95,252 
			 Portsmouth 83,161 59,537 59,537 202,235 
			 Reading 123,481 105,324 105,324 334,129 
			 Redbridge 98,532 71,590 71,590 241,712 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 61,189 40,803 40,803 142,795 
			 Richmond upon Thames 52,455 39,050 39,050 130,555 
			 Rochdale 183,157 141,068 141,068 465,293 
			 Rotherham 104,968 64,187 64,187 233,342 
			 Rutland 6,418 7,925 7,925 22,268 
			 Salford 190,566 147,003 147,003 484,572 
			 Sandwell 147,319 99,353 99,353 346,025 
			 Sefton 121,670 81,629 81,629 284,928 
			 Sheffield 194,126 141,463 141,463 477,052 
			 Shropshire 72,526 44,841 44,841 162,208 
			 Slough 64,523 42,780 42,780 150,083 
			 Solihull 72,443 45,170 45,170 162,783 
			 Somerset 145,321 86,804 86,804 318,929 
			 South Gloucestershire 61,763 39,196 39,196 140,155 
			 South Tyneside 91,956 53,128 53,128 198,212 
			 Southampton 94,144 68,971 68,971 232,086 
			 Southend on Sea 74,025 47,973 47,973 169,971 
			 Southwark 314,878 272,018 272,018 858,914 
			 St Helens 85,580 47,880 47,880 181,340 
			 Staffordshire 207,713 136,265 136,265 480,243 
			 Stockport 92,230 61,938 61,938 216,106 
			 Stockton on Tees 85,160 49,359 49,359 183,878 
			 Stoke on Trent 111,004 67,429 67,429 245,862 
			 Suffolk 185,611 118,769 118,769 423,149 
			 Sunderland 132,739 84,893 84,893 302,525 
			 Surrey 236,487 178,336 178,336 593,159 
			 Sutton 70,772 51,606 51,606 173,984 
			 Swindon 62,758 38,168 38,168 139,094 
			 Tameside 98,302 60,583 60,583 219,468 
			 Telford and Wrekin 72,625 40,745 40,745 154,115 
			 Thurrock 64,591 39,206 39,206 143,003 
			 Torbay 60,670 35,263 35,263 131,196 
			 Tower Hamlets 337,670 287,884 287,884 913,438 
			 Trafford 79,784 51,199 51,199 182,182 
			 Wakefield 119,818 75,506 75,506 270,830 
			 Walsall 116,259 75,499 75,499 267,257 
			 Waltham Forest 199,097 162,774 162,774 524,645 
			 Wandsworth 197,972 175,161 175,161 548,294 
			 Warrington 59,466 39,601 39,601 138,668 
			 Warwickshire 137,033 88,851 88,851 314,735 
			 West Berkshire 39,882 22,201 22,201 84,284 
			 West Sussex 186,979 135,619 135,619 458,217 
			 Westminster 173,409 142,615 142,615 458,639 
			 Wigan 114,764 71,236 71,236 257,236 
			 Wiltshire 121,067 72,425 72,425 265,917 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 38,075 24,827 24,827 87,729 
			 Wirral 149,089 103,543 103,543 356,175 
			 Wokingham 24,188 19,151 19,151 62,490 
			 Wolverhampton 123,899 81,282 81,282 286,463 
			 Worcestershire 137,264 94,923 94,923 327,110 
			 York 53,515 31,996 31,996 117,507 
			 (1) Due to long standing arrangements, figures for Isles of Scilly will continue to been shown as part of Cornwall's allocation and not separated out here 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) Main Grant 
			  £ 
			  DAT (DIP Main Grant funding)  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  Total 
			 Barking and Dagenham 273,407 277,508 277,508 828,423 
			 Barnet 300,231 304,734 304,734 909,700 
			 Barnsley 807,613 819,727 819,727 2,447,067 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 134,504 136,522 136,522 407,547 
			 Bedfordshire 348,484 353,711 353,711 1,055,907 
			 Bexley 194,876 197,799 197,799 590,474 
			 Birmingham 5,287,239 5,366,548 5,366,548 16,020,334 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 277,625 281,789 281,789 841,204 
			 Blackpool 472,805 479,897 479,897 1,432,599 
			 Bolton 1,136,727 1,153,778 1,153,778 3,444,283 
			 Bournemouth 196,173 199,116 199,116 594,404 
			 Bracknell Forest 100,096 101,597 101,597 303,291 
			 Bradford 1,926,287 1,955,181 1,955,181 5,836,650 
			 Brent 1,203,160 1,221,207 1,221,207 3,645,573 
			 Brighton and Hove 384,808 390,580 390,580 1,165,968 
			 Bristol 2,448,659 2,485,389 2,485,389 7,419,437 
			 Bromley 255,437 259,269 259,269 773,974 
			 Buckinghamshire 294,905 299,329 299,329 893,562 
			 Bury 552,298 560,582 560,582 1,673,463 
			 Calderdale 685,101 695,378 695,378 2,075,856 
			 Cambridgeshire 359,344 364,734 364,734 1,088,812 
			 Camden 1,191,678 1,209,553 1,209,553 3,610,785 
			 Cheshire 367,961 373,480 373,480 1,114,922 
			 City of London 320,297 325,101 325,101 970,500 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 306,005 310,595 310,595 927,195 
			 Coventry 900,865 914,378 914,378 2,729,621 
			 Croydon 1,001,817 1,016,844 1,016,844 3,035,504 
			 Cumbria 339,955 345,054 345,054 1,030,064 
			 Darlington 182,146 184,878 184,878 551,902 
			 Derby 468,178 475,201 475,201 1,418,579 
			 Derbyshire 602,601 611,640 611,640 1,825,881 
			 Devon 325,754 330,640 330,640 987,035 
			 Doncaster 1,317,965 1,337,734 1,337,734 3,993,434 
			 Dorset 158,403 160,779 160,779 479,961 
			 Dudley 723,448 734,300 734,300 2,192,047 
			 Durham 500,671 508,181 508,181 1,517,033 
			 Ealing 988,786 1,003,618 1,003,618 2,996,021 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 226,328 229,723 229,723 685,774 
			 East Sussex 356,965 362,319 362,319 1,081,604 
			 Enfield 759,292 770,682 770,682 2,300,655 
			 Essex 826,742 839,143 839,143 2,505,028 
			 Gateshead 627,944 637,363 637,363 1,902,670 
			 Gloucestershire 361,046 366,462 366,462 1,093,969 
			 Greenwich 827,205 839,613 839,613 2,506,432 
			 Hackney 1,513,524 1,536,227 1,536,227 4,585,979 
			 Halton 137,823 139,890 139,890 417,604 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,118,469 1,135,246 1,135,246 3,388,960 
			 Hampshire 602,349 611,384 611,384 1,825,117 
			 Haringey 1,243,541 1,262,194 1,262,194 3,767,930 
			 Harrow 222,376 225,712 225,712 673,799 
			 Hartlepool 609,010 618,145 618,145 1,845,300 
			 Havering 172,767 175,359 175,359 523,484 
			 Herefordshire 133,323 135,323 135,323 403,969 
			 Hertfordshire 768,856 780,389 780,389 2,329,634 
			 Hillingdon 249,873 253,621 253,621 757,115 
			 Hounslow 794,244 806,158 806,158 2,406,559 
			 Isle of Wight 119,619 121,413 121,413 362,446 
			 Islington 1,333,277 1,353,276 1,353,276 4,039,830 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1,008,137 1,023,259 1,023,259 3,054,656 
			 Kent 1,151,373 1,168,644 1,168,644 3,488,660 
			 Kingston upon Hull 1,422,020 1,443,350 1,443,350 4,308,721 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 116,026 117,766 117,766 351,559 
			 Kirklees 1,219,885 1,238,183 1,238,183 3,696,252 
			 Knowsley 221,793 225,120 225,120 672,033 
			 Lambeth 1,930,537 1,959,495 1,959,495 5,849,526 
			 Lancashire 1,119,486 1,136,278 1,136,278 3,392,043 
			 Leeds 2,737,443 2,778,505 2,778,505 8,294,452 
			 Leicester 1,558,632 1,582,011 1,582,011 4,722,655 
			 Leicestershire 425,618 432,002 432,002 1,289,623 
			 Lewisham 1,378,639 1,399,318 1,399,318 4,177,275 
			 Lincolnshire 586,959 595,763 595,763 1,778,486 
			 Liverpool 2,154,389 2,186,705 2,186,705 6,527,799 
			 Luton 700,528 711,036 711,036 2,122,600 
			 Manchester 2,848,647 2,891,377 2,891,377 8,631,400 
			 Medway 234,608 238,127 238,127 710,862 
			 Merton 171,555 174,128 174,128^ 519,812 
			 Middlesbrough 1,022,237 1,037,571 1,037,571 3,097,378 
			 Milton Keynes 163,880 166,338 166,338 496,556 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 1,290,574 1,309,933 1,309,933 3,910,439 
			 Newham 1,357,782 1,378,148 1,378,148 4,114,078 
			 Norfolk 569,371 577,912 577,912 1,725,194 
			 North East Lincolnshire 914,255 927,969 927,969 2,770,193 
			 North Lincolnshire 786,869 798,672 798,672 2,384,213 
			 North Somerset 116,374 118,120 118,120 352,613 
			 North Tyneside 205,693 208,778 208,778 623,250 
			 North Yorkshire 364,011 369,471 369,471 1,102,953 
			 Northamptonshire 1,034,269 1,049,783 1,049,783 3,133,835 
			 Northumberland 314,636 319,356 319,356 953,347 
			 Nottingham 1,794,787 1,821,709 1,821,709 5,438,205 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,339,136 2,374,223 2,374,223 7,087,582 
			 Oldham 890,494 903,851 903,851 2,698,197 
			 Oxfordshire 1,195,115 1,213,042 1,213,042 3,621,198 
			 Peterborough 774,057 785,668 785,668 2,345,393 
			 Plymouth 279,400 283,591 283,591 846,582 
			 Poole 92,250 93,634 93,634 279,518 
			 Portsmouth 282,678 286,918 286,918 856,514 
			 Reading 1,106,837 1,123,440 1,123,440 3,353,716 
			 Redbridge 663,812 673,769 673,769 2,011,350 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 280,159 284,361 284,361 848,882 
			 Richmond upon Thames 124,080 125,941 125,941 375,962 
			 Rochdale 778,885 790,568 790,568 2,360,022 
			 Rotherham 756,064 767,405 767,405 2,290,874 
			 Rutland 5,956 6,045 6,045 18,047 
			 Salford 771,116 782,683 782,683 2,336,481 
			 Sandwell 1,003,679 1,018,734 1,018,734 3,041,147 
			 Sefton 659,800 669,697 669,697 1,999,194 
			 Sheffield 2,348,164 2,383,386 2,383,386 7,114,937 
			 Shropshire 167,636 170,151 170,151 507,937 
			 Slough 854,146 866,958 866,958 2,588,062 
			 Solihull 407,131 413,238 413,238 1,233,607 
			 Somerset 316,763 321,514 321,514 959,792 
			 South Gloucestershire 132,788 134,780 134,780 402,348 
			 South Tyneside 244,095 247,756 247,756 739,608 
			 Southampton 307,778 312,395 312,395 932,567 
			 Southend 166,947 169,451 169,451 505,849 
			 Southwark 1,655,389 1,680,219 1,680,219 5,015,827 
			 St Helens 230,790 234,252 234,252 699,294 
			 Staffordshire 644,560 654,228 654,228 1,953,017 
			 Stockport 664,181 674,144 674,144 2,012,468 
			 Stockton 688,901 699,235 699,235 2,087,370 
			 Stoke on Trent 363,586 369,040 369,040 1,101,666 
			 Suffolk 451,164 457,931 457,931 1,367,027 
			 Sunderland 782,823 794,565 794,565 2,371,954 
			 Surrey 554,147 562,459 562,459 1,679,065 
			 Sutton 159,878 162,276 162,276 484,430 
			 Swindon 164,132 166,594 166,594 497,320 
			 Tameside 823,130 835,477 835,477 2,494,084 
			 Telford and Wrekin 173,915 176,524 176,524 526,962 
			 Thurrock 150,379 152,635 152,635 455,648 
			 Torbay 213,239 216,438 216,438 646,114 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,415,658 1,436,893 1,436,893 4,289,445 
			 Trafford 693,096 703,492 703,492 2,100,081 
			 Wakefield 1,094,559 1,110,977 1,110,977 3,316,514 
			 Walsall 642,837 652,480 652,480 1,947,796 
			 Waltham Forrest 925,327 939,206 939,206 2,803,740 
			 Wandsworth 1,034,156 1,049,668 1,049,668 3,133,493 
			 Warrington 142,628 144,767 144,767 432,163 
			 Warwickshire 474,417 481,533 481,533 1,437,484 
			 West Berkshire 94,930 96,354 96,354 287,638 
			 West Sussex 392,398 398,284 398,284 1,188,966 
			 Westminster 2,016,350 2,046,595 2,046,595 6,109,540 
			 Wigan 1,046,181 1,061,874 1,061,874 3,169,928 
			 Wiltshire 216,549 219,797 219,797 656,143 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 103,195 104,743 104,743 312,681 
			 Wirral 525,360 533,240 533,240 1,591,841 
			 Wokingham 92,159 93,541 93,541 279,242 
			 Wolverhampton 826,579 838,978 838,978 2,504,534 
			 Worcestershire 332,987 337,982 337,982 1,008,951 
			 York 187,359 190,169 190,169 567,698 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3 - Alcohol Arrest Referral (AAR) pilot grant: Alcohol Arrest Referral (AAR) pilot grant funding 
			  £ 
			  Drug and Alcohol Action Team  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  Total 
			 Chester 82,000 125,500 - 207,500 
			 Cleveland - 94,350 227,066 321,416 
			 Cumbria - 42,195 89,130 131,325 
			 East Sussex - 35,000 138,334 173,334 
			 Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - 72,730 156,770 229,500 
			 Lincolnshire - 25,000 83,875 108,875 
			 Liverpool 82,000 166,500 138,750 387,250 
			 Manchester 82,000 91,500 - 173,500 
			 North East Lincolnshire - 31,250 75,000 106,250 
			 Northamptonshire - 54,335 129,831 184,166 
			 Staffordshire - 30,000 10,0000 130,000 
			 Swindon - 40,416 87084 127,500 
			 Total 246,000 808,776 1,225,840 2,280,616

EU Law

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of statutory obligations provided for by legislation on matters for which his Department is responsible, which were introduced as a consequence of obligations arising from EU legislation in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the statutory obligations upon it provided for in legislation introduced as a consequence of obligations arising from EU legislation in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: It is very difficult to provide precise figures for the proportion of UK legislation that stems from the European Union and the consequent cost. All proposals for EU legislation are, however, deposited with Parliament with an assessment of any legislative changes that would be required to implement them in the UK and an explanation of the HMG policy in the area concerned, including in the case of proposals on migration and asylum, by choosing not to opt in to them where appropriate.
	The origins of a regulation could be a devolved Administration or a local authority, as well as the Government or the EU. All regulations, irrespective of their origins, should comply with the principles of better regulation. Regulations should be risk based, proportionate and well designed, so as to achieve their objectives whilst also keeping costs to a minimum. The Government continue to work with European partners to ensure that EU regulations meet these standards.

Entry Clearances

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of applications for family visit visas from  (a) India,  (b) Nigeria,  (c) Bangladesh and  (d) Pakistan have been refused in each of the last six years.

Phil Woolas: The number of applications family visit visas (a) received and (b) refused at UK visa-issuing posts in India, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Pakistan in each of the last five calendar years is shown in the following tables, together with refusal rates for each country/year. Reliable data are not held for years prior to 2004.
	
		
			   2004  2005 
			   Applications received  Refused  Refusal rate (percentage)  Applications received  Refused  Refusal rate (percentage) 
			 Bangladesh 6,703 2,169 43 9,356 3,458 36 
			 India 83,089 15,648 19 99,341 20,024 21 
			 Nigeria 41,157 15,788 41 60,065 25,125 44 
			 Pakistan 31,932 6,727 36 57,122 25,901 43 
		
	
	
		
			   2006  2007 
			   Applications received  Refused  Refusal rate (percentage)  Applications received  Refused  Refusal rate (percentage) 
			 Bangladesh 12,760 4,547 36 13,909 5,351 40 
			 India 108,572 20,548 19 108,233 22,193 21 
			 Nigeria 59,276 30,353 52 52,042 25,309 46 
			 Pakistan 86,664 28,575 33 75,769 31,611 41 
		
	
	
		
			   2008 
			   Applications r eceived  Refused  Refusal r ate (percentage) 
			 Bangladesh 11,381 3,966 35 
			 India 98,645 16,647 17 
			 Nigeria 42,612 18,532 43 
			 Pakistan 56,477 28,750 47 
		
	
	The data are unpublished and should be treated as provisional.

Entry Clearances

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) visa entry clearance officers and  (b) risk assessment officers are employed in (i) Islamabad, (ii) Pakistan and (iii) Afghanistan.

Alan Johnson: For security and efficiency reasons, we have transferred visa decision-making for Pakistan to our visa sections in Abu Dhabi and the UK. We have 34 Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) in Abu Dhabi, including seasonal relief staff, and a full staffing capacity of five ECOs in the UK working on Pakistan casework. 13 ECOs currently remain in Islamabad.
	Risk and Liaison Overseas Network staff are employed on a risk assessment basis.
	We do not have a visa office in Afghanistan.

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of visa applications received by the consulate in  (a) Karachi and  (b) Lahore in the last 12 months for which figures are available were checked for fraud by entry clearance officers in each post.

Alan Johnson: There are no entry clearance officers (ECOs) posted to Karachi or Lahore. All checks for fraud are carried out in Islamabad, where there are 10 ECOs. All applications are checked for fraud.

Forensic Science Service

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment has been made of the likely effect of a closure of the Chorley Forensic Science Service (FSS) laboratory on FSS response times for analysing evidence.

Alan Campbell: The Forensic Science Service has undertaken detailed analysis of projected casework demand, throughput and detailed force requirements in accordance with the National Forensic Framework Agreement, and in conjunction with the expected efficiencies from their ongoing Transformation programme. Their conclusion is that they can service demand, within contractually binding response times, from a reduced number of laboratories. Closure of the Chorley site is currently only a proposal, to be tested and challenged through the consultation process.

Forensic Science Service

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has consulted all coroners on  (a) the proposed headcount reduction in the FSS and  (b) the proposed closure of the Chorley FSS laboratory.

Alan Campbell: The Forensic Science Service (FSS) has a pathology laboratory based in Sheffield. Staff at this facility have held discussions on the transformation of the FSS with local coroners.
	The FSS has discussed the principles of a revised site structure with all of its core customers. There have been no specific discussions on these proposals with coroners beyond those spoken to by the facility in Sheffield.

Forensic Science Service

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has consulted all police authorities in the North West on  (a) the proposed headcount reduction in the FSS and  (b) the proposed closure of the Chorley FSS laboratory.

Alan Campbell: Police authorities have not been consulted on proposed changes but each police force has been consulted. It is the police forces who are the direct customers of the Forensic Science Service, and as such, they are the people with whom such discussions have taken place.

Forensic Science Service Transformation Plan: Consultants

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which consultants have been engaged to work on the Forensic Science Service Transformation Plan; what the monetary value of each contract is; and what task each contract is for.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 3 July 2009
	The only major consultancy services engaged by the Forensic Science Service (FSS) have been obtained from Deloitte (who assisted in 2008 with preliminary thinking on business transformation). Deloitte has also been the FSS pension advisers for some time. FSS have used a number of specialist providers in a smaller way to support the design of the business transformation programme. The transformation team itself has also been staffed by a number of agency and interim specialists to work alongside and train in-house resources (for example Lean Sigma training). Some components of the transformation (e.g. IT enabling projects) will involve the engagement of a number of our existing external service support providers (e.g. Cap Gemini), but these companies are not involved in the provision of broader consultancy services.
	The work undertaken by Deloitte in 2008, which constitutes the only single major contract, cost £1.5 million.

Forensic Science Service: Chepstow

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information his Department has provided to staff at the Chepstow Forensic Science Service laboratory on the proposed Forensic Science Service closure and redundancy programme.

Alan Campbell: On 24 June, the Forensic Science Service (FSS) shared proposals about the approach to redundancy and operational site deployment with both trade union and employee forum representatives and copies of these proposals were made available to all FSS staff.
	The approach to redundancy proposal covers:
	Individual consultation
	Appeals process
	Maximising redeployment opportunities
	Trial periods
	Notice periods
	Support and outplacement
	Redundancy package
	Voluntary redundancy.
	The operational site deployment proposal covers the approach, rationale and proposed site deployment based on the proposed move to national business streams. It provides details about:
	the options considered;
	the criteria against which the proposed option was selected (e.g. co-location of body fluid/DNA casework;
	available laboratory space;
	delivery of the national framework products/services and quality;
	lowest risk to customer disengagement;
	the operational considerations and impacts.

Forensic Science Service: Chorley

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on updating equipment at Chorley Forensic Science Service laboratory in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 30 June 2009
	During 2004-05, £451,000 was spent on new scientific equipment for the Chorley laboratory. In 2005-06, this fell to around £233,000 and in 2006-07, dropped to just under £48,000. In 2007-08 this figure stood at £163,000. There has been no spend on equipment during 2008-09.

Forensic Science Service: Chorley

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been received from  (a) police forces in the North West,  (b) coroners based in the North West and  (c) the Isle of Man Government on the proposed closure of the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Chorley.

Alan Campbell: As part of ongoing discussions with customers regarding the proposed restructure of the Forensic Science Service, senior staff from the company recently met with the north west Association of Chief Police Officers procurement lead from Cheshire constabulary, at his request, to discuss the plans in detail.
	There have been no representations from coroners or from the Isle of Man Government.

Freedomain Radio

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received reports on the activities of Freedomain Radio in the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: I have not been made aware of any reports on the activities of this website.

Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support the UK has undertaken to provide for the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT); where the secretariat of GICNT is based; and when the next meeting of participating parties will be.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK has held two Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) events with international partners to date. A nuclear smuggling workshop in September 2007 and a knowledge proliferation seminar in October 2008. The next UK GICNT event will take place in London in early 2010, when we will host a joint workshop with the US on the issue of detecting radiological materials.
	In addition to hosting workshops, we regularly send UK experts to events hosted by partners to share information on a range of issues spanning the GICNT principles. Recent examples of this are: a workshop in Garmisch in May 2009, to design a nuclear detection framework document; a workshop in Rabat in June 2009 concerning the trafficking of dangerous materials; and a workshop in Canberra in July 2009 on consequence management.
	The GICNT does not have a secretariat. The US and Russia are co-chairs, with the annual plenary and workshops held by partners on a voluntary basis. The last plenary was held in June 2009 in The Hague.
	The next meeting of partners will be in the Netherlands on 24-26 November 2009 at a workshop to examine international co-operation and information sharing in a nuclear-radiological security event.

Homicide

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of homicide involving killing by a sharp instrument there have been in each police force area in each year since 1997.

Alan Campbell: Available information is from the Homicide Index and relates to the number of homicides recorded by police in England and Wales between 1997-98 and 2007-08.
	
		
			  Homicides currently recorded( 1)  where apparent method of killing is sharp instrument( 2) , by police force area: England and Wales 
			   Year offence initially recorded as homicide( 3) 
			  Police force area  1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Avon and Somerset 3 5 5 3 4 4 4 4 2 4 6 
			 Bedfordshire 3 2 1 2 7 1 1 4 3 3 3 
			 British Transport Police - - - - - - - - - 1 1 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 1 4 - 1 2 5 2 2 2 4 
			 Cheshire 3 3 - - 3 2 5 3 7 4 2 
			 Cleveland 1 1 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 
			 Cumbria 3 1 5 3 1 2 1 1 - - 3 
			 Derbyshire 2 1 2 1 4 2 3 2 2 3 1 
			 Devon and Cornwall 8 6 1 5 6 2 3 10 4 5 6 
			 Dorset 1 1 1 3 - 3 6 - - 2 2 
			 Durham 3 2 - 1 2 3 - 2 3 5 - 
			 Dyfed Powys - 2 - 1 - 3 - - 2 1 1 
			 Essex 1 5 9 2 10 7 5 - 6 9 3 
			 Gloucestershire 1 1 3 - 3 3 2 2 - 2 - 
			 Greater Manchester 16 14 10 14 23 19 17 15 11 13 15 
			 Gwent - 1 1 2 2 2 - 4 1 2 2 
			 Hampshire 1 3 5 5 7 10 3 7 4 7 7 
			 Hertfordshire 2 1 5 4 3 4 4 5 3 6 3 
			 Humberside 2 2 2 2 3 5 8 3 1 7 6 
			 Kent 7 3 8 4 10 6 4 4 7 6 5 
			 Lancashire 6 2 1 15 4 10 12 11 1 4 13 
			 Leicestershire 1 1 - 4 2 4 9 3 3 5 3 
			 Lincolnshire - 1 2 - 1 2 2 - - 3 3 
			  London:
			 City of London - - - - - - - - - 1 - 
			 Metropolitan 62 52 68 69 68 68 61 62 57 70 78 
			 Merseyside 8 11 6 14 3 12 10 14 10 10 9 
			 Norfolk - 5 2 4 1 - 3 1 1 3 3 
			 North Wales 2 - 2 1 2 4 - 5 2 1 3 
			 North Yorkshire 1 - 1 - - - 1 3 2 - - 
			 Northamptonshire 2 2 1 3 3 5 1 - 6 6 4 
			 Northumbria 11 5 9 5 4 8 8 6 7 10 14 
			 Nottinghamshire 3 6 5 4 6 3 6 6 7 7 3 
			 South Wales 9 9 6 3 10 1 3 4 2 7 5 
			 South Yorkshire 2 3 4 4 6 7 2 7 6 3 8 
			 Staffordshire 4 4 2 - 1 - 3 3 2 5 3 
			 Suffolk - - - 3 2 - 2 2 3 2 2 
			 Surrey 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 3 - 3 
			 Sussex 4 4 5 5 6 9 3 9 4 3 3 
			 Thames Valley 7 7 8 3 9 13 3 6 7 8 6 
			 Warwickshire - 2 1 - 1 2 2 3 1 5 2 
			 West Mercia 3 3 1 3 5 2 5 3 - 3 1 
			 West Midlands 4 16 15 9 19 17 22 21 22 15 15 
			 West Yorkshire 12 12 7 8 11 13 7 13 11 12 13 
			 Wiltshire 2 - 1 - 3 2 2 3 1 1 2 
			 Total 202 201 213 215 261 266 242 260 219 269 270 
			 (1) As at 4 November 2008; figures are revised as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available. (2) Includes knives as well as other sharp instruments. (3) Offences are shown according to the year in which the police initially recorded the offence as homicide. This is not necessarily the year in which the incident took place or the year in which any court decision was made.

Human Trafficking

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 94-5W, on human trafficking, what guidance has been issued by his Department to the agencies involved in the national referral mechanism on systematic identification of victims of human trafficking.

Alan Campbell: Specialist teams within the UK Human Trafficking Centre and the UK Border Agency have been set up to act as decision making competent authorities within the multi-agency national referral mechanism.
	Comprehensive guidance and training, utilising expertise from within and outside Government, has been provided to these teams. Staff within these teams have been instructed to engage with external agencies to assist in the identification process.
	In addition, myself and the Association of Chief Police Officers lead for human trafficking wrote to all chief officers to direct them to the Home Office website which holds information about the national referral mechanism:
	http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/human trafficking005.htm
	All other relevant agencies have also been directed to this information.

Identity Cards

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) fake and  (b) fraudulently obtained national identity cards have been seized in each month since the introduction of the national identity card scheme.

Alan Johnson: As part of the national identity card scheme we began issuing identity cards to foreign nationals on 25 November 2008. To date we have not identified or recovered any cards found to be fake or to have been obtained fraudulently.

Identity Cards

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many national identity cards have been withdrawn, recalled or returned as a result of errors in the data  (a) displayed on the card and  (b) contained on the chip since the introduction of the scheme.

Alan Johnson: Since November 2008, over 50,000 identity cards have been issued to foreign nationals by the UK Border Agency. Of these, four cards have been withdrawn, recalled or returned as a result of errors in the data either displayed on the card or contained on the chip since the introduction of the scheme.

Identity Cards

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many records checks have been made against the national identity card database by  (a) police forces and  (b) other agencies in each month since the introduction of the national identity card scheme.

Alan Johnson: The National Identity Register, which will hold the identity information of everyone issued with a national identity card, will not begin operation until later this year when we start to issue voluntary ID cards to airside workers at Manchester and London city airports as well as to British citizens living in the Greater Manchester area.
	There have, therefore not yet been any checks made on the National Identity Register.

Identity Cards: Expenditure

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on the National Identity Card Scheme; and what proportion of this expenditure has been on identity cards alone.

Alan Johnson: The Identity Cards are paid for by customer fees.
	Between the financial years 2003-04 and 2005-06, £41.1 million was spent by the Home Office Identity Cards Programme in total in development. Since the merger of the Home Office Identity Cards Programme and the UK Passport Service to create the Identity and Passport Service on 1 April 2006, projects to deliver passports including facial images and fingerprints, identity cards and other improvements have been necessarily combined. As much of the technology and operational processes needed to implement identity cards are also required for the implementation of these new passports, this is the most cost-effective way to deliver these initiatives.
	Much of the work conducted by Identity and Passport Service cannot be categorised, both financially and operationally, as contributing towards either the introduction of passports with facial images and fingerprints or identity cards alone. The work is accounted for as future development projects which in the 2006-07 financial year amounted to £30.9 million, in 2007-08 £61.7 million and 2008-9 £81.5 million (subject to finalisation of the 2008-09 accounts process).

Identity Cards: Police

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has issued to police  (a) forces and  (b) officers on the use of identity cards in policing.

Alan Johnson: In addition to the general guidance published on the Identity Card for Foreign Nationals, the UK Border Agency has engaged with representatives from police forces and produced guidance about the use of identity cards. This guidance is reviewed regularly and updates will be issued whenever necessary.
	In respect of identity cards issued to British citizens, the Identity and Passport Service has yet to produce any guidance on identity cards and will be producing guidance on the security features to be incorporated in the identity cards issued to later this year.

Illegal Immigrants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the publication of his Department's report on Understanding the market for facilitated illegal entry in the UK has been delayed; and when he intends to publish it.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 20 January 2009
	The normal process for publishing research is that such reports must undergo a rigorous quality assurance process including external peer review and only research that meets our high quality standards is published by the Department. Once this process has been completed in this case, we expect to be able to publish the report in summer 2009.

Immigrants: Social Security Benefits

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the UK Border Agency or its predecessor informed Jobcentre Plus that Khadra Ali Hassan of Sheffield was no longer entitled to income support and related benefits arising out of her previous temporary leave to remain.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 10 June 2009
	My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote to my right hon. Friend on 15 July 2009.

Immigration

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people had awaited determination of their application for  (a) leave to remain and  (b) indefinite leave to remain under the immigration rules for more than (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three and (iv) four years;
	(2)  when he plans to answer question 250959, tabled on 21 January 2009, on the timescale for processing immigration cases.

Phil Woolas: The data my hon. Friend requires are provided in the following table.
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			  Leave to remain  
			 Two years 3,767 4,077 8,127 2,627 1,904 
			 Three years - - 1,103 2,713 1,031 
			 Four years - - - 1,487 1,119 
			 Five years - - - - 1,253 
			   
			  Indefinite leave to remain  
			 Two years 1,441 3,081 2,623 4,523 2,740 
			 Three years - - 797 3,097 1,782 
			 Four years - - - 1,440 1,551 
			 Five years - - - - 1,194 
		
	
	The above data are not provided under the National Statistics protocols. They have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
	Data for some of these periods are not available. This is because there was a major change in our IT systems in 2002. Data on cases lodged in or before 2002 will therefore not be complete. This means we are unable to supply reliable information on some of the cases you requested. The data could now be reliably gathered only by the examination of individual files for historic information and this could be achieved only at disproportionate cost to the organisation.
	LTR and ILR outstanding applications are generally complex cases involving ECHR and those overstaying existing leave granted.
	We are improving migration workstreams, as new processes are introduced with initial focus on clearing older cases, then improving overall throughput.

Immigration

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to announce his decision on the application for a residence permit submitted by Mrs Tatiana Stebel-Nowakowska.

Phil Woolas: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 17 July 2009.

Immigration

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1163W, on immigration, whether the UK Border Agency has obtained the further information needed in order to be able to decide the immigration case of Mrs Mohinder Kaur.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 14 July 2009
	 It is anticipated that the decision will be notified to Mrs. Kaur shortly.

Immigration Controls: Abuse

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many organisations purporting to be education and training providers have been closed for abuse of the immigration system in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: This information is not recorded centrally either by the UK Border Agency or the previous Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Immigration: Gurkhas

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) legal status and  (b) residency rights Gurkhas who do not qualify to settle in the UK but who are not subject to immediate deportation have.

Phil Woolas: On 21 May 2009 the Home Secretary announced a revised policy for former members of the Brigade of Gurkhas who had been discharged prior to 1 July 1997. Under the terms of this policy any former Gurkha with more than four years' service who had been discharged from the Brigade of Gurkhas before 1 July 1997 would be eligible for settlement in the UK.
	All Gurkhas who meet the criteria and who wish to settle in the United Kingdom will be eligible to do so unless there are particular reasons for excluding an individual from settlement, for example criminality. We therefore cannot foresee circumstances in which ex Gurkhas in the UK do not meet the criteria but are not subject to immediate administrative removal or deportation. If this unlikely situation did arise the legal status and residency rights of the individual would be considered on a case by case basis.

Immigration: Gurkhas

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what potentially analogous categories of immigrant his Department considered when formulating its policy on the rights of residence of Gurkhas; and what elements of the Government's policy on such rights of residence would apply to each such category.

Phil Woolas: When formulating the policy on the settlement rights of former Gurkhas it was important to find a package which met the needs of the Gurkhas, which was affordable and was consistent with our broader immigration policies. This included consideration of the settlement rules for Commonwealth soldiers, the policies on other immigration categories that provide a route to settlement, the time limits on applications, dependants and the UK Government's wider responsibilities under the Human Rights Act.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter to him dated 5 January 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. Paul Cookson.

Alan Johnson: The UK Border Agency is meeting with the Centre for Social Justice in September and a reply to my right hon. Friend's letter will be sent out shortly.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter of 12 February 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Ms K Billington.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 9 July 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 25 February 2009, with regard to Mr. M Rashid;
	(2)  when he plans to reply to the letter of 25 February 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, on Mr. M Rashid.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 9 July 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter dated 7 April 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Yewande Augustina Adeleke.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 15 July 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter to his predecessor of 18 May 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. D Albubasinmwin.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 2 July 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter to his predecessor of 22 May 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Fawzia Izat and Hilla Akhterzi.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 10 July 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he plans to reply to the letter to his predecessor of 18 May 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Ms Sujla Afrin Suma;
	(2)  when he plans to reply to the letter to his predecessor of 18 May 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Sajia Afrin Suma.

Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 10 July 2009.

Metropolitan Police: Volunteers

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many volunteers have been  (a) acting and  (b) recruited as independent lay custody visitors in the Metropolitan Police Authority in each year since 2000.

David Hanson: The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) advises that prior to 2006, individual boroughs managed independent custody visiting in their areas and that figures on recruitment are not centrally available. From April 2007, the MPA took pan-London responsibility for management of custody visitor and visit information. The authority has provided the following information:
	As of December 2007 the MPA had 360 independent custody visitors of which 70 were new recruits during the year.
	As of December 2008 there were 401 independent custody visitors of which 140 were new recruits during the year.

National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was allocated to the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit (NETCU) in each financial year since 2003-04; and how many staff were employed by NETCU in each such year.

David Hanson: holding answer 24 June 2009
	Funding to the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit is managed on behalf of the Home Office by the Association of Chief Police Officers Terrorism and Allied Matters (ACPO TAM). We do not disclose details of grants provided to individual units on security grounds. Nor do we disclose details of the numbers of staff employed by individual units.

National Identity Scheme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contracts his Department has signed for delivery of the National Identity Scheme to date; with which suppliers such contracts have been entered into; and what the  (a) monetary value and  (b) expected duration of each such contract is.

Alan Johnson: The contracts that have been signed for delivery of the National Identity Service which is necessary for the introduction of biometric passports to date are as follows:
	 Thales UK Ltd .
	Thales UK Ltd was awarded a contract in July 2008 for the technology and process for early release of NIS which is worth £18 million. It has been awarded for four years with four successive six month options to extend.
	 De La Rue
	De La Rue was selected in June 2009 as the preferred bidder for the Design and Production of next generation UK passport books which is worth £400 million. The contract was signed on 2 July, and has been awarded for a period of 10 years.
	 CSC
	CSC was awarded a contract in April 2009 for the upgrade of IPS's Application and Enrolment system which is worth £385 million. It has been awarded for a period of 10 years.
	 IBM
	IBM was awarded a contract in May 2009 to operate the biometric data base for passports and to support identity cards which is worth £265 million. It has been awarded for seven years with one three-year option to extend.
	In addition, four existing contracts were amended to support the initial rollout of identity cards. These include:
	secure mail delivery provider SMS for the passport book to extend delivery services;
	Teleperformance to include an option to provide support for the introduction of identity cards;
	3M SPSL to include production and personalisation of the identity cards; and
	nCipher (now part of Thales) for specialist encryption equipment was amended to adapt this equipment for the rollout to UK nationals.
	As spend has been in relation to only one contract and has therefore been with only one supplier, this information is considered to be commercially sensitive.

National Policing Improvement Agency: Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the National Policing Improvement Agency spent on consultants in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The National Policing Improvement Agency was established by statute on 1 April 2007. Data are only available for 2007-08 and 2008-09.
	NPIA consultancy spend was £71.4 million in 2007-08. The figure for 2008-09 is £57.2 million.

National Policing Improvement Agency: Manpower

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) directors,  (b) senior managers,  (c) specialist and delivery managers and  (d) executive support and administration staff there were in each National Policing Improvement Agency office in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The National Policing Improvement Agency was established by statute on 1 April 2007. Data for 2007-09 are given in the tables. Data prior to this period are not available.
	
		
			  NPIA staff 
			  1 April 2007 
			  Location  Executive support and administration staff  Specialist and delivery managers  Senior managers  Directors  Total 
			 Birmingham - 25 - - 25 
			 Bramshill 170 126 4 - 300 
			 Carterton - 3 - - 3 
			 Harperley Hall 20 25 - - 45 
			 Harrogate 121 56 1 - 178 
			 Hendon Data Centre 97 52 1 - 150 
			 Hendon NCALT 21 25 - - 46 
			 London New King's Beam House 114 451 2 - 567 
			 London Victoria St 18 128 3 5 154 
			 Ryton 37 13 - - 50 
			 Wyboston 74 115 1 - 190 
			 Total 672 1,019 12 5 1,708 
		
	
	
		
			  1 April 2008 
			  Location  Executive support and administration staff  Specialist and delivery managers  Senior managers  Directors  Total 
			 Birmingham 6 22 - - 28 
			 Bramshill 173 128 1 - 302 
			 Carterton - 3 - - 3 
			 Harperley Hall 25 31 - - 56 
			 Harrogate 126 69 1 - 196 
			 Hendon Data Centre 94 60 1 - 155 
			 Hendon NCALT 30 15 - - 45 
			 London New King's Beam House 112 374 9 - 495 
			 London Victoria St 43 173 4 5 225 
			 Marsham Street 3 22  - 25 
			 Ryton 38 14 - - 52 
			 Wyboston 73 115 3 - 191 
			 Total 723 1,026 19 5 1,773 
		
	
	
		
			  1 April 2009 
			  Location  Executive support and administration staff  Specialist and delivery Manager  Senior managers  Director  Total 
			 Birmingham 9 21 - - 30 
			 Bramshill 190 160 3 - 353 
			 Carterton - 8 - - 8 
			 Harperley Hall 24 36 - - 60 
			 Harrogate 134 79 1 - 214 
			 Hendon Data Centre 93 63 1 - 157 
			 Hendon NCALT 32 17 1 - 50 
			 London New King's Beam House 143 403 9 - 555 
			 London Victoria St 69 204 16 5 294 
			 Marsham Street 4 20 - - 24 
			 Ryton 50 51 - - 101 
			 Salisbury 1 19 - - 20 
			 Wyboston 66 119 3 - 188 
			 Grand total 815 1,200 34 5 2,054 
			  Note:  The definitions used in response to this question are as follows: Directors-CEO and chief officers. Senior managers-NPIA Grades 4A - 4B. Specialist and delivery managers-NPIA Grades 2B - 3B. Executive support and administration staff-All other grades.

National Public Order Intelligence Unit

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has allocated to the National Public Order Intelligence Unit in each year since its establishment; and how many staff the unit employed in each such year.

David Hanson: The Home Office does not provide funding directly to the National Public Order Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by top-slice of the police grant and a contribution from the Metropolitan Police Service.
	We do not disclose details of grants provided to individual units on security grounds. Nor do we disclose details of the numbers of staff employed by individual units.

Offences Against Children

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police cautions were given for the  (a) possession of and  (b) creation of pornographic images of children in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 29 June 2009
	Information provided by the Ministry of Justice showing the number of offenders cautioned for the possession, taking, distributing or publishing of indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of children in England and Wales, from 1998 to 2007 can be viewed in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of offenders cautioned( 1)  for possessing, taking, distributing or publishing indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of children, in England and Wales,  1998 to 2007( 2, 3) 
			  Offence  Statute  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Possession of an indecent photograph or pseudo- photograph(3) Criminal Justice Act 1988 Sec. 160 as amended by the criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, and Criminal Justice Act 1988 Sec 160 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Secs.84(4) and 86(1) 19 34 25 32 53 205 162 151 147 142 
			 Take, permit to be taken, or to make distribute or publish indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children Protection of Children Act 1978 Section 1 as amended by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Sec 84 and Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 S.41(1). 26 31 35 38 63 239 201 195 168 185 
			 (1 )From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (2 )The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (3 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Evidence  Analysis Unit-Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Offenders: Foreigners

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign national prisoners were on bail on 28 February 2009.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the letter of 7 July 2009 from the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency to the Home Affairs Select Committee which is available in the House Library.

Office of Cyber Security: Cyber Security Operations Centre

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) budget and  (b) number of staff of the (i) Office of Cyber Security and (ii) Cyber Security Operations Centre in Cheltenham is in 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The Office of Cyber Security (OCS) will be established in September 2009 to provide strategic leadership for and coherence across Government, and to establish a cross-Government programme to address priority areas in pursuit of the UK's strategic cyber security objectives. The exact staffing and budgetary arrangements are currently being determined.
	The Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) will be established at the same time to bring together existing multi-agency efforts to provide situational awareness, analysis and incident response co-ordination in the cyber security field, making sure that new and existing resources are used to best effect in the areas where they are needed the most. The exact staffing and budgetary arrangements are currently being determined.
	The additional resources for the Government's overall cyber security programme will be reported to the House in the autumn.

Official Residences

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been paid to Westminster City Council in council tax on the empty property of 62 South Eaton Place in each month since the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside vacated the Ministerial residence there.

Phil Woolas: The following annual council tax payments have been made:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006-07 1,271 
			 2007-08 825 
			 2008-09 824 
		
	
	Discount for empty property was claimed for 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Passports: Fraud

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many biometric passports issued to applicants had subsequently been withdrawn on the basis of  (a) fraud and  (b) ineligibility of the applicant on the latest date for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: In terms of fraud recording, the Identity and Passport Service does not yet differentiate between biometric and non-biometric passports.

Passports: Fraud

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fraudulent passport applications were detected in each year since 1997; and how many instances of passport fraud his Department estimates were undetected in each such year.

Alan Johnson: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) figures for passport frauds detected in each year since 1997 are shown in table 1:
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   Number 
			 1997(1) 1,880 
			 1998(1) 1,368 
			 1999(1) 1,535 
			 January to March 2000(1) 362 
			 2000-01 1,484 
			 2001-02 2,419 
			 2002-03 1,973 
			 2003-04 2,651 
			 2004-05 1,497 
			 2005-06 6,497 
			 2006-07 6,108 
			 2007-08 9,382 
			 2008-09 9,254 
			 (1) Calendar years were used until April 2000 
		
	
	The estimated number of fraudulent passport applications which go undetected, for years in which figures are available, is set out in table 2
	
		
			  Table 2 
			   Estimated proportion of fraudulent applications (percentage)( 1)  Estimated number of undetected frauds( 1) 
			 1997 - - 
			 1998 - - 
			 1999 - - 
			 January to March 2000 - - 
			 2000-01 - - 
			 2001-02 - - 
			 2002-03 0.09 2,974 
			 2003-04 - - 
			 2004-05 - - 
			 2005-06 0.25 10,058 
			 2006-07 0.25 9,672 
			 2007-08 0.25 5,372 
			 2008-09 0.26 4,410 
			 (1) Figures do not include cases in which a false declaration has been made by a passport applicant but identity and eligibility for a passport are not in doubt. 
		
	
	The process IPS uses to estimate the number of fraudulent applications it receives is based on sampling and statistical extrapolation.
	The estimate of the number of fraudulent applications which evade IPS controls is derived from a simple arithmetical calculation in which the number of frauds identified and prevented is deducted from the estimated number of fraudulent applications received.
	IPS first conducted an exercise to establish an estimate of the number of fraudulent applications in 2002 and details of its findings were made available to Parliament in response to questions.
	In 2006 IPS introduced a more refined and robust sampling process drawing on the experience of 2002 and its increased understanding of the nature and pattern of fraud. This increased understanding of the nature and pattern of fraud has also enabled IPS to refine the way it records fraud and to identify fraudulent applications which had been stopped by routine controls but which had not been previously recorded as fraud.

Passports: Interviews

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of first-time passport applicants have been interviewed in each month since the interview system was established.

Alan Johnson: The proportion of first time adult passport applicants who have received passports and who had been interviewed in each month since the interview system was established in 2007 is approximately 90 per cent.
	See following table:
	
		
			   Total first time adult interviews conducted  Total first time adult passports issued  Percentage of first time adults being interviewed 
			 October 2007 2,259 26,132 9 
			 November 2007 5,207 25,778 20 
			 December 2007 9,031 17,293 52 
			 January 2008 10,373 16,680 62 
			 February 2008 23,537 25,660 92 
			 March 2008 32,054 36605 88 
			 April 2008 29,979 32,405 93 
			 May 2008 31,341 34,253 91 
			 June 2008 40,348 43,624 92 
			 July 2008 26,606 29,974 89 
			 August 2008 30,187 33,633 90 
			 September 2008 19,765 21,815 91 
			 October 2008 16,022 18,539 86 
			 November 2008 19,533 21,798 90 
			 December 2008 12,794 15,190 84 
			 January 2009 13,947 14,165 98 
			 February 2009 20,821 22,587 92 
			 March 2009 31,466 33,928 93 
			 April 2009 24,210 25,607 95 
			 May 2009 30,818 33,220 93 
			 June 2009 18,955 19,948 95 
			 Total 432,756 479,631 90

Passports: Interviews

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) staffing and  (b) other costs have been of each passport interview centre in each month since such centres were established.

Alan Johnson: Personal passport interviews are conducted through the Interview Office Network (ION) of the Identity and Passport Service. The costs for each passport interview centre in each month since the Interview Office Network was established in July 2007 are as follows. This excludes the cost of depreciation of relevant set-up capital expenditure.
	
		
			  £ 
			  ION offices  Salaries  Other costs  Grand total 
			 Bord-Berwick Upon Tweed 59,747 122,546 182,293 
			 Bord-Carlisle 115,001 203,128 318,128 
			 Bord-Dumfries 90,617 105,282 195,899 
			 Bord-Kendal 137,581 187,828 325,409 
			 Bord-Middlesbrough 409,061 321,856 730,917 
			 Bord-Newcastle 587,257 523,989 1,111,246 
			 Bord-Ripon 64,942 198,496 263,438 
			 Bord-Selkirk 72,000 176,856 248,856 
			 EA-Bury St. Edmunds 180,286 248,683 428,968 
			 EA-Ipswich 242,738 188,490 431,229 
			 EA-Kings Lynn 125,759 134,987 260,746 
			 EA-Lincoln 238,066 157,630 395,696 
			 EA-Norwich 230,731 235,137 465,868 
			 EA-Peterborough 299,374 268,450 567,824 
			 EA-Sleaford 103,976 131,872 235,848 
			 ION OCM 18,173 3,305 21,478 
			 ION-London 2,899,409 2,701,859 5,601,268 
			 Mid-Birmingham 978,036 856,481 1,834,517 
			 Mid-Derby 386,105 332,456 718,561 
			 Mid-Leicester 246,616 268,496 515,112 
			 Mid-Northampton 276,071 201,374 477,445 
			 Mid-Shrewsbury 153,135 199,285 352,421 
			 Mid-Stoke on Trent 288,878 240,756 529,634 
			 Mid-Warwick 186,919 278,675 465,594 
			 NE-Kingston on Hull 316,364 247,123 563,487 
			 NE-Leeds 709,077 683,933 1,393,009 
			 NE-Scarborough 126,844 163,524 290,368 
			 NE-Sheffield 490,466 459,699 950,165 
			 NE-York 160,201 236,692 396,894 
			 NI-Armagh 110,837 172,605 283,442 
			 NI-Belfast 345,431 327,623 673,054 
			 NI-Coleraine 164,870 167,705 332,575 
			 NI-Omagh 94,250 181,608 275,858 
			 NW-Blackburn 354,964 302,737 657,701 
			 NW-Liverpool 599,110 464,368 1,063,478 
			 NW-Manchester 778,474 760,049 1,538,523 
			 NW-Wrexham 244,748 282,252 527,000 
			 SMW-Aberystwyth 58,909 175,295 234,204 
			 SMW-Bristol 309,855 334,575 644,430 
			 SMW-Cheltenham 225,900 179,898 405,798 
			 SMW-Newport 498,625 326,819 825,444 
			 SMW-Swansea 342,703 290,512 633,215 
			 SMW-Swindon 138,924 186,558 325,482 
			 Scot-Aberdeen 177,027 197,619 374,646 
			 Scot-Dundee 176,718 186,248 362,966 
			 Scot-Edinburgh 332,671 416,442 749,113 
			 Scot-Glasgow 755,413 617,049 1,372,462 
			 Scot-Inverness 138,573 166,992 305,565 
			 Scot-Kilmarnock 33,836 2,301 36,138 
			 Scot-Oban 20,879 191,043 211,922 
			 Scot-Stirling 165,169 223,285 388,454 
			 Scot-Wick 49,128 101,084 150,212 
			 SE-Brighton 185,115 187,242 372,356 
			 SE-Chelmsford 314,816 441,675 756,491 
			 SE-Crawley 276,306 282,550 558,856 
			 SE-Dover 190,309 222,295 412,604 
			 SE-Luton 405,133 396,002 801,136 
			 SE-Maidstone 275,478 212,565 488,043 
			 Sth-Andover 209,256 172,151 381,407 
			 Sth-Bournemouth 225,140 206,443 431,582 
			 Sth-Newport (IOW) 102,229 170,241 272,470 
			 Sth-Oxford 155,208 241,728 396,936 
			 Sth-Portsmouth 440,517 424,074 864,591 
			 Sth-Reading 359,911 574,926 934,837 
			 SW-Exeter 243,638 177,275 420,913 
			 SW-Plymouth 215,470 280,709 496,179 
			 SW-Redruth 125,996 118,822 244,818 
			 SW-South Molton 114,620 176,986 291,606 
			 SW-St. Austell 169,271 133,070 302,341 
			 SW-Yeovil 170,115 192,120 362,235 
			 Total costs 20,488,970 20,944,430 41,433,399

Police

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of time spent by police officers in each police force  (a) on front-line duties and  (b) in completing (i) all administrative, (ii) incident-related administrative and (iii) stop and search forms in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of the working day spent by police officers,  (a) on front-line duties and  (b) in completing (i) all administrative forms and (ii) stop and search forms in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Hanson: Figures for all forces for front-line policing and for paperwork at a national level are given in the following tables. Figures for paperwork for individual forces should be sought from those forces, as it is not possible for the Home Office to release them without incurring disproportionate cost. The Home Office does not collect data on time spent on stop and search routinely, but we estimate that hand written completion of stop and search forms on the street takes on average three to seven minutes. The time spent on completing the form depends on the circumstances of the individual stop.
	Figures are not available on a force by force basis.
	
		
			  Table A: Paperwork and frontline activity for all officers 2007-08( 1,2) 
			   Percentage 
			 Time spent on incident-related paperwork 12.4 
			 Time spent on non incident-related paperwork 9.3 
			 Total time spent on paperwork 21.7 
			 Time spent on patrol(3) 13.8 
			 Frontline policing measure(4) 64.9 
			 (1) The information is taken from activity analysis, which is collected by all forces over a two-week period in each year and provides a snapshot of how officers are deployed. (2) Excluding Staffordshire. (3) Includes officers on foot/car/beat patrol, CID and traffic officers. (4) The frontline policing measure includes activities other than those shown in the table such as dealing with crimes and non-crime incidents. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Frontline activity by force 2007-98 
			  Force  Frontline policing measure (percentage) 
			 Avon and Somerset 58.9 
			 Bedfordshire 67.6 
			 Cambridgeshire 64.3 
			 Cheshire 63.9 
			 City of London 67.8 
			 Cleveland 60.8 
			 Cumbria 62.3 
			 Derbyshire 71.2 
			 Devon and Cornwall 61.3 
			 Dorset 71.4 
			 Durham 57.3 
			 Dyfed-Powys 61.9 
			 Essex 64.3 
			 Gloucestershire 69.2 
			 Greater Manchester 58.8 
			 Gwent 70.9 
			 Hampshire 66.1 
			 Hertfordshire 66.8 
			 Humberside 64.9 
			 Kent 68.1 
			 Lancashire 63.0 
			 Leicestershire 64.5 
			 Lincolnshire 63.4 
			 Merseyside 63.0 
			 Metropolitan Police 65.1 
			 Norfolk 68.2 
			 North Wales 63.8 
			 North Yorkshire 63.2 
			 Northamptonshire 64.7 
			 Northumbria 71.2 
			 Nottinghamshire 72.1 
			 South Wales 62.5 
			 South Yorkshire 70.0 
			 Staffordshire n/a 
			 Suffolk 67.4 
			 Surrey 64.6 
			 Sussex 60.0 
			 Thames Valley 62.5 
			 Warwickshire 65.5 
			 West Mercia 64.4 
			 West Midlands 65.6 
			 West Yorkshire 68.5 
			 Wiltshire 67.2

Police

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what methodology his Department uses to collate figures on the amount of time spent by police officers on administrative tasks; and who in his Department has responsibility for the collection of such figures.

David Hanson: The frontline policing measure and other measures of time spent on patrol and paperwork have been discontinued as part of the Government's commitment to reduce the burden on police forces imposed by statistical and other data. This will allow police officers to concentrate their efforts on fighting crime and being more visible.
	The decision to discontinue the measure is based on the maturing relationship which exists between the police service and the Home Office around performance management. Over time a performance management culture has been embedded, and following the success that forces have had in reducing crime and the move to one centrally set target around public confidence, we believe that this approach is the right one.

Police Community Support Officers: Lancashire

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police community support officers are employed in Lancashire.

David Hanson: There were 400 police community support officers in Lancashire constabulary as at 30 September 2008. This figure is calculated on a full-time equivalent basis.
	This and other related data are published annually as part of the annual Police Service Strength Home Office Statistical Bulletin. The latest bulletin can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/policeorg1.html
	and bulletins for this and previous years are deposited in the Library of the House.
	Annual 30 September figures are provided as interim figures to the more detailed 31 March figures which can also be found at the above link. 31 March 2009 figures are due to be published on 23 July 2009 on the same webpage.

Police: Cybercrime

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the regional police squads established to tackle cyber crime to be operational; and what  (a) budget and  (b) personnel will be provided for those squads.

David Hanson: The work of the Association of Chief Police Officers e-crime Committee includes a project to set up regional cyber crime teams. Chief constables have a budget which they are able to use on the priorities for their forces. Any decision on funding or staffing for regional teams is a matter for the chief constables for that region.

Police: Cybercrime

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms are in place to co-ordinate the work of police forces in reducing levels of cybercrime.

David Hanson: The Government have provided £3.5 million over three years to support the work of the police central e-crime unit (PCeU). One of the roles that the PCeU has been given is to develop the response to e-crime across the police service. The co-ordination of that work is a matter for the police and for ACPO.

Police: Training

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 602W, on police training, what progress the National Police Improvement Agency has made in refreshing its training modules on domestic abuse to include  (a) female genital mutilation,  (b) stalking and harassment and  (c) honour-based violence.

Alan Campbell: The National Policing Improvement Agency has reviewed the existing training materials for domestic abuse and has begun developing a new learning programme. Part 1 of this training relates to risk identification, assessment and management which will be available from end July 2009.
	Further training material is to be launched in Q3 2009 and will include general awareness training for all police officers and staff and specialist training for all experienced specialist domestic abuse officers and all investigators.
	All of the new training materials incorporate  (a) female genital mutilation,  (b) stalking and harassment and  (c) honour-based violence.

Prisoners Release: Foreigners

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are unlawfully at large having been removed from prison to an immigration removal centre and subsequently released into the community.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency and its partners are currently pursuing for the deportation of 64 individuals who breached the conditions of the parole license and have not yet been recalled.

Refugees: Iraq

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 28,000 Iraqi refugees in Syria submitted by the UN for resettlement since 2007 have been accepted by the UK.

Phil Woolas: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 17 July 2009.

Serious and Organised Crime Agency

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the Serious and Organised Crime Agency has provided information to support prosecutions in each of the last 24 months.

Alan Johnson: The information is not readily available and could be recovered only at disproportionate cost.

Serious and Organised Crime Agency

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff from the Serious and Organised Crime Agency provided evidence in person or in writing during trials in each of the last 24 months.

Alan Johnson: The information is not readily available and could be recovered only at disproportionate cost.

Serious Crime Prevention Orders: Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many  (a) serious crime prevention orders and  (b) antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in England and Wales since their introduction;
	(2)  how many antisocial behaviour orders are in force in England and Wales.

Alan Campbell: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available from 1 April 1999. The number of ASBOs issued at all courts in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 December 2007 (latest available) was 14,972.
	ASBOs can be of a fixed duration (minimum two years) or made until further order. It is therefore not possible to determine from centrally collected data how many ASBOs are in force at a particular point in time.
	Serious crime prevention orders became available on 6 April 2009. Up to 31 May 2009 the Serious Organised Crime Agency had secured 19 such orders and we understand that three further orders had been secured by other law enforcement authorities.

Serious Organised Crime Agency: Travel

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on travel and accommodation by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in each of the last three years.

Alan Johnson: The Serious Organised Crime Agency's expenditure on all its travel and accommodation in the UK and overseas for each of the last three years was:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006-07 18,189,370.31 
			 2007-08 16,778,991.09 
			 2008-09 18,574,892.35 
		
	
	These costs were incurred necessarily in the delivery of the agency's functions. During the three years 2006-07 to 2008-09, SOCA had approximately 4,000 members of staff of whom approximately 140 were based overseas.

Terrorism: Arrests

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people arrested under the Terrorism Act 2006 have subsequently been deported.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 1 May 2009
	None. There is no power of arrest under the Terrorism Act 2006. Any arrest for terrorism offences would be under either the Terrorism Act 2000 or other legislation.
	Details of the number of arrests for terrorism offences between 11 September 2001 and 31 March 2008 are contained in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin:
	Statistics on Terrorism Arrests and Outcomes Great Britain 11 September 2001 to 31 March 2008 at:
	http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb0409.pdf
	Details of the numbers of people arrested for a terrorism offence who have subsequently been deported are not available.

Travel Restrictions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2009,  Official Report, column 321W, on travel restrictions, what the outcome of the discussions on the Government's policy on exclusion with US officials was.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 25 June 2009
	 Following the bi-lateral meeting between UK and US officials, UK officials agreed in principle to provide further information to their US counterparts about the operation of the Government's policy on exclusion in the event of future inquiries.

Travel Restrictions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2009,  Official Report, column 321W, on travel restrictions, whether he received any representations from US officials about the inclusion on the list of foreign nationals barred from entry to the UK of  (a) Michael Savage and  (b) any other US citizen.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 29 June 2009
	 A bi-lateral meeting was held between UK and US officials following the publication of the list on 5 May 2009 to discuss the Government's policy on exclusion on the grounds of unacceptable behaviour. Officials set out the background to the policy and Michael Savage's inclusion on the list.

UK Border Agency: Correspondence

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will require the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to report on when a response will be sent to the hon. Member for Sunderland South's letter of 24 April 2009, regarding his constituent, Mrs Louise Chambers, Home Office reference U1062508; and for what reasons no response to the correspondence has been provided to the hon. Member through the hon. Members' hotline.

Phil Woolas: The Deputy Director, Operations, of the London and South East Region wrote on 26 June regarding Mrs. Umber's application. The MPs' Hotline was unavailable for technical reasons which have now been addressed.

UK Border Agency: Manpower

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals are employed by the UK Border Agency.

Phil Woolas: All candidates are subject to the same pre-appointment checks regardless of nationality. Our pre-appointment checks ensure that we only select those that pass eligibility in accordance with the Cabinet Office nationality requirements:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/Nationality-Requirements/Nationality-Requirements.aspx

UK Border Agency: Passports

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the average time taken by the UK Border Agency and its predecessors to check a passport at each  (a) airport and  (b) port in each of the last 10 years.

Alan Johnson: The time taken to check a passport at each port is not routinely recorded.
	All new passports issued within the EU and in many countries across the world are now chip enabled and current policy is to scan 100 per cent. of passports at border control. The embedded chips from different countries have different reading rates, varying from three to 15 seconds depending on the detail of information stored on the chip.
	Thereafter, the further checks made by border force officers will depend on a range of other factors as the passenger presents themselves at the desk, including eligibility for entry to the UK, prior concerns as flagged by e-borders, suspicious behaviour or unusual circumstances and alerts from other law enforcement agencies.
	New automated iris recognition gate arrangements, now rolling out to a further eight arrivals halls over the next two months will further reduce queuing and speed the passenger flow.
	Alongside our Automated Clearance System trials, UKBA are already facilitating the journey of other legitimate passengers through our Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS). IRIS combines speed and maximum security to let positively vetted passengers travel faster. The scheme was launched in January 2006 and is available at 10 airport terminals throughout the UK.

UK Border Agency: Training

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency staff have been on training courses abroad in each country in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: Data are not collected centrally on the number of UK Border Agency staff who have attended training courses abroad in the last five years, and could be only provided at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Arabic Language

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to increase the number of Arabic speakers in his Department.

Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) places a great deal of importance on improving the language skills for its staff. It currently has over 40 active Arabic speaker slots (jobs with an operational language requirement). The number of these jobs, and level of language proficiency necessary, are regularly reviewed in the light of requirements.
	The FCO offers a mix of full-time and part-time language training, in-country training, and on-the-job training to officers selected for these jobs. In addition, it assesses the level of Arabic language proficiency of the jobholders, through exams accredited to the Chartered Institute of Linguists.

Australia: Diplomatic Service

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria in respect of fair and open competition apply to appointments to the post of High Commissioner to Australia; and on how many occasions an appointment to this post has been made through open competition within the Diplomatic Service in the last 10 years.

Chris Bryant: No one has been appointed as high commissioner to Australia through Diplomatic Service open competition for the last 10 years.
	High commissioners can be appointed either through the civil service recruitment process or by Diplomatic Service Order in Council.

Cybercrime

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on cyber security; and what assessment he has made of the merits of taking steps in co-operation with the US administration to prevent cyber attacks.

Ivan Lewis: There have been no recent discussions between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and his US counterpart on cyber security.
	The Cabinet Office currently provides the lead for policy on cyber security and has, supported by representatives from across Government, continued to engage closely with the US administration during the development of the UK's recently published Cyber Security Strategy which, in addition to other key areas, addresses the importance of cyber attack prevention. As the strategy explains, the security of cyber space is a transnational issue and, as such, working with international partners, including the US, is essential to achieving the UK's strategic cyber security objectives.

Cyprus: Land

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Cypriot Government on the effects on British citizens of title deed trap fraud perpetrated in Cyprus.

Chris Bryant: Our high commissioner in Nicosia has made a number of representations to the Cypriot authorities to make clear our concerns, most recently on 27 April 2009. We have been assured that the Cyprus Government will introduce legislation to speed up the issuing of title deeds. Our high commission in Cyprus will remain engaged in supporting British citizens on this issue and regularly meets with action groups formed by British nationals such as the Cypriot Property Action Group to listen to their concerns. Arrangements for the issuing of title deeds are a matter of national competence. However, we will continue to make our concerns clear to the authorities.

Deen International

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to Baroness Warsi of 2 June 2009, House of Lords,  Official Report, column WA70, on Deen International, when he expects the University of Islamabad to publish its independent report; when he expects the evaluation reports commissioned by his Department in  (a) Islamabad and  (b) London to be completed; and if he will place in the Library copies of any of these reports which have already been completed.

Ivan Lewis: I am Muslim I am British, a project conducted by Deen International with Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) funding, concluded as scheduled on 2 May 2009. FCO guidance requires evaluation reports to be completed within three months of the end of project delivery. The university of Islamabad's evaluation, which is based on over 600 detailed interviews, is currently being finalised and is due to be shortly signed off by the head researcher. The further evaluations in London and Islamabad will be informed by the university's detailed report.
	The evaluations are internal FCO documents and we have no plans to place them in the Library of the House.

Departmental Contracts

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) institutions supported by the Higher Education Funding Councils and  (b) other organisations and bodies have been awarded contracts by his Department's (i) research analysts and (ii) policy planning staff in each financial year since 2003.

Chris Bryant: The following institutions supported by the Higher Education Funding Councils have been awarded contracts by Research Analysts since 2003:
	Institute for the Study of the Americas (University of London)
	Oxford University
	Dundee University
	London School of Economics
	African Studies Centre
	No contracts were awarded by Strategy Unit (formerly Policy Planners) to institutions supported by the Higher Education Funding Councils in financial year 2008-09 (the only year for which figures are available for Strategy Unit in its current form).
	The following organisations or bodies were awarded contracts for services by Research Analysts in the years from 2003 (contracts for the supply of goods such as office equipment are not included):
	Chatham House
	Communicaid
	Economic and Social Research Council
	Factiva
	Henry L. Stimson centre
	Iraq Institute for Strategic Studies
	Linguarama
	Rainbow
	Royal African Society
	World Language Consultants
	The following organisations or bodies were awarded contracts for services (contracts for the supply of goods such as office equipment are not included) by the Strategy Unit (formerly Policy Planners) in financial year 2008-09 (the only year for which figures are available for Strategy Unit in its current form):
	National School for Government
	Overseas Development Institute
	International Institute for Strategic Studies
	European School for Governance
	PA Consulting Group
	Ashridge Consulting
	Wilton Park Executive Agency
	Happy Computers
	RUSI Trading Ltd.
	Libra Advisory Group
	Mary-Louise Clark Associates Ltd.
	Open Society Institute
	Barkers
	Centre for Parliamentary Studies

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each  (a) database and  (b) ICT system run by his Department in each year since 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: It is not in the interests of the UK's national security for Departments to confirm information on the number of attempts, successful or otherwise, to gain unauthorised access to departmental systems or databases. Such disclosure could undermine the integrity and security of departmental systems and thereby expose them to potential threats.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office complies with the mandatory requirements of the Security Policy Framework in relation to information security including managing the risk of unauthorised access to information and communications technology systems.

Departmental Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 July 2009,  Official Report, column 947W, on departmental internet, which web browser his Department has chosen to replace Internet Explorer 6; what proportion of computers in his Department have been updated; and when he expects the update process to be completed.

Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is updating its web browsers to Internet Explorer 7 as part of the deployment of its replacement desktop infrastructure. By the end of June 2009, some 57 per cent. of its networked computers had been updated. Completion is scheduled for the end of May 2010.

Departmental Manpower

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of employees in his Department are  (a) women and  (b) men; and what the average hourly pay of his Department's (i) male employees and (ii) female employees was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Bryant: As at 1 July 2009, 41 per cent. of the current Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) workforce is female and 59 per cent. is male.
	The average hourly rate of basic pay for male staff in the FCO is £20.56 and for female staff £20.11.
	These figures are for basic salary only and are taken from the last Equal Pay Audit conducted in the autumn of 2007. The executive summary of the audit highlighted:
	that average basic salaries for each grade when compared on the grounds of gender, ethnicity and disability are within the 5 per cent. tolerance set out by the EOC (Equal Opportunities Commission)
	(now Equality and Human Rights Commission).

Departmental Publications

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what publications his Department has issued in the UK in the last 12 months.

Chris Bryant: Details of our publications can be found at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/publications/publications

Diplomatic Service

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many diplomats in each British diplomatic mission overseas have been accused by the authorities of the host country of committing a serious criminal offence in the period 2004 to 2008, broken down by type of offence.

Chris Bryant: holding answer 8 July 2009
	Central records show that no diplomats in any of our diplomatic missions overseas have been accused by the authorities of the host country of committing a serious criminal offence in the period 2004 to 2008.

EU Institutions: Manpower

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals  (a) applied for and  (b) have been accepted for traineeships in the European Commission since March 1997.

David Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 May 2009,  Official Report, column 44W.

Foreigners: Honours

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on whom  (a) honorary knighthood and  (b) honorary citizenship has been conferred in each year since 1997.

Chris Bryant: Recipients of honorary awards, including honorary knighthoods, have been published on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website since 2007:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/what-we-do/honours
	The UK awarded 167 honorary knighthoods between 1997 and 2006, of which 89 were awarded during State and Guest of Government visits. Full details have been placed in the Library of the House.
	Honorary knighthoods in the Royal Victorian Order have not been included as they are in the personal gift of The Queen and are not, therefore, administered by the FCO.
	The UK does not confer honorary citizenships.

Hamas

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on meetings between representatives of the Government and Hamas.

Ivan Lewis: The UK position is clear: we do not believe it is productive to talk to Hamas directly. The military wing of Hamas is proscribed in the UK as a terrorist organisation: they fire rockets at innocent civilians and put ordinary Palestinians in harm's way. We believe that to talk to Hamas directly at this time would simply undermine those Palestinians who are committed to peace.
	The Arab League has mandated Egypt to communicate with Hamas. We are in regular contact with both the Arab League and Egypt.

Human Rights

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Association of Tour Operators on introducing a traffic light system to classify foreign tourist destinations as having good, fair or bad human rights records.

Ivan Lewis: Consular officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are in regular contact with travel industry professionals and associations on a range of issues. It is for individuals to decide where to travel. We would encourage people to take such decisions on the basis of our travel advice and other publicly available information on their proposed destination. The FCO's Annual Human Rights Report, published most recently on 26 March 2009, provides a comprehensive assessment of the human rights record of countries of concern around the world.

Human Rights

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the human rights situation in relation to Christians in  (a) North Korea,  (b) Saudi Arabia,  (c) Iraq,  (d) Afghanistan and  (e) Somalia; and what representations he has made on that situation to the Government of each such country.

Ivan Lewis: We condemn all instances of violence and discrimination against individuals and groups because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen or whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.
	The Government continue to be extremely concerned about continuing reports of serious, widespread, and systematic human rights abuses in North Korea, including the suppression of religious freedoms. We raise these concerns with the North Korean authorities at every appropriate opportunity, most recently in February 2009, urging them to engage with the international community, particularly the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korea Human Rights. They continue to refuse to engage on this issue. We are also working with non-governmental organisations, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide, as we prepare for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of North Korea's human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council in December 2009.
	The human rights situation in Saudi Arabia remains poor. We particularly oppose the lack of freedom of expression and religion. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country which does not allow the practice of other religions. We continue to urge the Saudis to respect freedom of religion and to honour article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is done at ministerial, ambassadorial and official level.
	In February 2009 the UN UPR reviewed human rights in Saudi Arabia. The UK made a number of recommendations. On 26 March 2009 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2008 Annual Human Rights report was launched by the Foreign Secretary. In the report we highlighted that the public practice of any religion other than Islam remains banned. Renouncing religious belief in Islam is an offence punishable by death. Our embassy last raised Freedom of Expression with the Saudi Government in Riyadh on 13 July 2009. We will continue to lobby on this and other important issues.
	The security situation in Iraq shows continued signs of improvement, but violence does continue to affect many people, including Christians. The UK continues to encourage the Government of Iraq to protect all communities and to take tough action against those responsible for any acts of violence and intimidation regardless of political, ethnic or religious affiliation.
	Promoting human rights is integral to building a stable democracy in Afghanistan. But after 30 years of conflict Afghanistan is starting from a low base. Poverty and weak state institutions are big contributors to human rights violations. Conservative cultural values often exacerbate the severe hardships many still face. We condemn all instances where individuals, including Christians, are persecuted because of their faith or belief and take every opportunity to urge Afghanistan to implement laws and practices which foster tolerance and mutual respect. This includes full implementation of those norms laid out in the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. Our embassy in Kabul continues to follow the human rights situation on the ground closely and raise matters of concern with the Afghan Government.
	We recognise that the human rights situation in Somalia has been appalling for a very long time. The ongoing civil conflict has impacted adversely on all sections of society, but particularly on vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities including the small community of Christians. We continue to urge the Transitional Federal Government to combat human rights abuses as an important component of the Djibouti Process to restore peace and stability to the country. We support the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Human Rights in Somalia and the work of human rights organisations to gather accurate information and evidence about the situation on the ground.

Iran: Politics and Government

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the political situation in Iran.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken to Secretary Clinton by telephone since the Iranian elections on 12 June 2009. We continue to stay in close contact with US officials.
	The UK and US share concerns about the Iranian authorities' heavy handed response to post-election protests. Both agree that it is for the Iranian people to decide their own government but that it is incumbent on the Iranian authorities to address the allegations of irregularities.

Iran: Politics and Government

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2009,  Official Report, column 628W, on Iran: foreign relations, what recent representations he has made to the Iranian Government on executions in Iran.

Ivan Lewis: The Government remain deeply concerned by the increasing use of capital punishment in Iran, which has one of the highest per capita execution rates in the world. We regularly make representations to the Government of Iran, in our bilateral contacts and through the EU, to express general concern about the use of the death penalty in Iran and to raise individual execution cases. We have done so on at least 20 separate occasions in 2009.
	In an EU presidency statement dated 5 July 2009, we strongly condemned the recent executions in Iran, in particular the execution of 20 persons on 4 July 2009, in the city of Karaj. Alongside our EU partners we will continue to call on the Iranian authorities to abolish the death penalty completely and, in the meantime, to establish a moratorium on executions as urged by UN General Assembly resolutions 62/149 and 63/168.

Iran: Politics and Government

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2009,  Official Report, column 628W, on Iran: foreign relations, what his most recent assessment is of the human rights situation in Iran.

Ivan Lewis: Iran's human rights record has continued to deteriorate throughout 2009. Even before the recent unrest we were particularly concerned by worrying signs of growing pressure on anyone with foreign contacts, including numerous arrests on counts of espionage and threatening national security. We are also witnessing an increasing use of the death penalty, and the continued practice of juvenile executions.
	The violence and brutality we witnessed in response to peaceful protests following the elections only served to compound the genuine concerns long held by the international community with regards to Iran's human rights record. In the aftermath of the elections we are concerned that large numbers of political opponents, students, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders have been arrested and remain in detention. We are concerned about the conditions under which they are being detained, and that they are being denied access to due legal process.
	We have repeatedly raised our concerns with the Iranian authorities regarding human rights violations and will continue to do so. The Iranian Government must heed strong calls from the international community and its own people to live up to its freely undertaken human rights commitments by respecting basic human rights and democratic freedoms.

Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made any recent assessment of the economic relationship between Israeli commercial and residential settlements.

Ivan Lewis: No such assessment has been made.

Israel: Imports

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2009,  Official Report, column 856W, on Israel: imports, if he will place in the Library a copy of  (a) the draft voluntary guidance on origin labelling of produce from the occupied Palestinian territories and  (b) the minutes of the roundtable meeting with representatives from food retailers and trading organisations.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working with other Departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Food Standards Agency with the intention of carrying out a public consultation on the labelling of produce from the Occupied Palestinian Territories shortly. The draft voluntary guidance will be available on DEFRA's website. The details of the roundtable meeting with food retailers and traders will not be disclosed, since to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Libya: Terrorism

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. David Lidington) of 13 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 545-6W, on Libya: terrorism, whether the Prime Minister discussed with President Gaddafi the issue of compensation for UK victims of terrorism at their meeting on 9 July 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I am acutely aware of the pain caused by Libya's past actions and the victims of Irish Republican Army atrocities have the Government's whole hearted sympathy.
	The Government continue to monitor the Libyan position on this matter, and raised it in discussions with Libyan Ministers as recently as February 2009. The Libyans maintain their firm view that they consider the matter closed. The Government therefore see no prospect of a bilateral agreement on this matter and I therefore did not raise this matter with the Libyan Leader.

Mauritania: Diplomatic Relations

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration the Government has given to opening an embassy in Mauritania.

Chris Bryant: We have no plans to open an embassy in Mauritania.
	However, we do intend to deploy a diplomatic officer into Nouakchott later this year. The officer will be remote working from, and responsible to, our embassy in Rabat.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Minister for Europe will reply to the letters of 16 April and 14 May from the hon. Member for Forest of Dean, regarding expatriates, reference FD7868.

Chris Bryant: The hon. Member's letters of 16 April 2009 and 14 May 2009 are not for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to answer. My hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (Angela Eagle), replied to the hon. Member's letters on 17 June 2009.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2009,  Official Report, column 548W, on Ministerial policy: advisers, what the names of the three members of his Department based in 10 Downing Street are; what their job descriptions are; for how long each has been posted there; and what advice they provide to his Department while on secondment.

Chris Bryant: Of the three advisers referred to in the previous answer, Simon McDonald has been officially based at the Cabinet Office, rather than at No. 10, as Foreign Policy Adviser to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, since 2007. Two other members of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff are based at No. 10 as foreign policy advisers. Tom Fletcher since September 2007 and Nick Catsaras since July 2008.
	FCO officials at No. 10 advising the Prime Minster on foreign policy issues work very closely with officials from the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Nuclear Weapons

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he received reports on the export of nuclear weapons technology, blueprints and fissionable material by the Kahuta Nuclear Research Institute in Pakistan to  (a) Iran,  (b) Libya,  (c) North Korea and  (d) Saudi Arabia; and what steps he has taken in response to those reports.

Ivan Lewis: In 2003 reports suggested that AQ Khan, who headed the Kahuta Nuclear Research Institute, supplied technology that could be used to make nuclear weapons to some of the countries mentioned. There is no evidence that Khan provided technology to Saudi Arabia. The UK played a leading role in Libya's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction in December 2003 and we support all the UN Security Council Resolutions in place with regards to Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Pakistan: Armed Conflict

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on Pakistan's policies in the Swat Valley; and what steps he has taken to seek to establish peace in that area.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in the Swat Valley on his recent visit to Pakistan with a wide range of Government of Pakistan officials, including President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani.
	The Foreign Secretary also discussed with the Government of Pakistan the need for military gains to be followed by reconstruction and development and commitment to a long-term political strategy for improving governance, justice and services and addressing the roots of militancy.
	The UK is working bilaterally and with international partners through the Friends of Democratic Pakistan to support the Government of Pakistan to deliver such a strategy. The UK, through the Department for International Development, has given £22 million in immediate humanitarian assistance for internally displaced people. We continue to lobby international partners to increase their contributions.

Pakistan: Crimes of Violence

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with his Pakistani counterpart on the attack on Christians in Bahmani Wala on 30 June 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We are concerned about reports that members of the Christian community in Bahmani Wala, Pakistan have been attacked. The UK supports freedom of religion and condemns persecution because of faith or beliefs. Incidents such as the attack in Bahmani Wala are an example of the sectarian violence and violent extremism that feed the discrimination faced by religious minorities.
	With our EU partners, we regularly raise our concerns with the Government of Pakistan over the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan and we will continue to do so. The most recent EU demarche in December 2008 called upon the Government of Pakistan to promote tolerance, and take measures to protect freedom of religion or belief. This demarche also called for the reform of discriminatory legislation and urged the Minister for Minority Affairs to raise awareness about abuses against minorities and to increase their political representation at all levels.
	Bilaterally, both in London and through our High Commission, officials regularly raise the treatment of minorities with their Pakistani interlocutors and will continue to do so. My hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Gillian Merron), the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, met Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's Minister for Minority Affairs, during her visit to Pakistan in February 2009. She raised concerns about the difficulties faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, and the misuse of blasphemy legislation.

Palestinians

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received recent reports of Palestinians working in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory being subject to  (a) restrictions on their involvement,  (b) detention,  (c) removal of their work permits,  (d) the loss of land and  (e) other forms of coercion by Israeli soldiers.

Ivan Lewis: We follow closely the situation of Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. But we have not received specific reports relating to Palestinians working in settlements.

Palestinians

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports his Department has received of the terms and conditions of employment of  (a) Palestinian,  (b) Israeli and  (c) Thai workers employed on the Israeli settlements of the occupied Palestinian territory.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has not received such reports.

Palestinians

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2009,  Official Report, column 632W, on Palestinians, what response he has received from his Israeli counterpart to his call for Israel to freeze settlement construction; and following the demolition of houses in East Jerusalem, if he will call for the suspension of the EU/Israel Association Agreement.

Ivan Lewis: There is still the need for more movement from Israel, including a complete freeze in settlement construction, in line with Israel's Roadmap commitments. We will continue to make our position clear both publicly and privately.
	On the second point, EU Foreign Ministers emphasised on 15 June 2009 that an upgrade in the relationship must be set against the context of our shared interests and objectives, including progress on the middle east peace process. The EU proposed that the current plan should remain in place for the time being.

Palestinians: Children

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received recent reports of the use of child labour in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Ivan Lewis: We have received no such reports.

Palestinians: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the working conditions of Palestinians employed in the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory; and on what evidential basis the assessment was made.

Ivan Lewis: We have made no such assessment.

Palestinians: Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of businesses in Israeli settlements which export goods or produce to the UK which have been built on Palestinian private property.

Ivan Lewis: We have made no such assessment.

Ports: Non-Domestic Rates

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received from French companies operating in Britain on business rates in relation to British ports.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	We have received one representation from a British registered company which is a subsidiary of a French company.

Russia: Diplomatic Service

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many locally employed British embassy staff in Russia have immunity from jurisdiction under Article 38.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.

Ivan Lewis: No locally employed members of staff at British diplomatic missions in the Russian Federation have immunity under Article 38 (1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.

Russia: Diplomatic Service

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the merits of conferring diplomatic status on non-Diplomatic Service staff employed by UK posts in the Russian Federation in accordance with the Diplomatic Service Regulations 2006.

Chris Bryant: Staff are appointed under article 7 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, according to the functions they perform at the mission. In practice, the privileges and immunities staff enjoy stem from the receiving state's recognition that they have been appropriately classified, in line with their functions.
	The diplomatic service regulations do not apply to locally engaged staff who are employed on local terms and conditions, governed by local law and practice.

Sri Lanka

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed the application of economic sanctions to Sri Lanka with his counterparts in other governments in the last two years.

Ivan Lewis: We have held wide ranging discussions with partners in the international community on the situation in Sri Lanka, but there have been no formal discussions at the EU or UN on economic sanctions. There are currently no economic embargoes or sanctions in place against Sri Lanka. It is important to ensure any action does not adversely affect the Sri Lankan people themselves.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of recent reports of human rights abuses in refugee camps in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We are increasingly concerned about the lack of freedom of movement in the camps for internally displaced persons (IDP) and the restrictions put on protection activities, including ensuring the safety of the IDPs, reuniting unaccompanied children with their families and registration of the IDP population as a whole.
	We continue to encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to do everything possible to ensure the civilian nature of the camps and allow humanitarian agencies to operate effectively on the ground. I refer to the written ministerial statement by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for International Development (Mr. Thomas) on 14 July 2009  Official Report, columns 12-13WS, which contains further information on the latest humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the UN Human Rights Council on a full investigation into alleged human rights abuses during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka.

Ivan Lewis: During the UN Human Rights Council Special Session on 26-27 May 2009, the UK made clear our concerns about events in Sri Lanka during the recent conflict. We believe it is important there should be an independent investigation into what happened because the extent of civilian casualties during the conflict remains unclear. The UK and the EU did our utmost to reach a consensual outcome at the Special Session and we are disappointed that the adopted resolution did not address many of our concerns.
	A copy of the UK's full statement can be found here:
	http://ukungeneva.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/pdfl/hrc-sri-lanka-statement-26052009
	In addition, the UK endorses the EU's calls of 18 May 2009 for an independent inquiry into possible violations of international humanitarian law. It is important that any investigation is credible and transparent.

Sri Lanka: International Assistance

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Sri Lanka on access of aid agencies to refugee camps in that country.

Ivan Lewis: In addition to the recent representations outlined by my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Department for International Development (Mr. Michael Foster) in his reply of 13 July 2009,  Official Report, column 32W, we continue to raise the issue of access to the camps with the Government of Sri Lanka and have urged them to work in partnership with the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies to address the ongoing needs of internally displaced persons (IDP).
	My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, also released a statement on 9 July 2009 urging the Government of Sri Lanka to continue its dialogue with the Red Cross in relation to the civilians in IDP camps. A copy of the statement can be found here:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view= PressSid=20551605

Ukraine: Embassies

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the merits of establishing a network of honorary consuls in Ukraine.

Chris Bryant: We have no honorary consuls in Ukraine, and there are currently no plans to establish such a network.

Ukraine: Embassies

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consular provision there is for UK citizens  (a) residing in and  (b) visiting the Crimea region of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: Our embassy in Kiev provides consular assistance to British nationals residing in or visiting Ukraine, including the Crimea region.

Ukraine: Monuments

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the condition of the war memorial and its immediate surroundings at Cathcart Hill, near Sevastopol; and what information his Department holds on  (a) the terms under which the memorial is maintained and  (b) the body responsible for its maintenance.

Chris Bryant: Our embassy in Kyiv, in conjunction with local Sevastopol authorities, has been actively seeking a successful resolution to the long-standing issue of the Cathcart Hill monument. This private monument was built by a local entrepreneur in 1993 supported by public subscription, but has fallen into disrepair due to weathering, vandalism, theft and lack of maintenance by its owner.
	Following the efforts of the embassy, the land on which the monument stands and associated historical artefacts have now been transferred to the ownership of the Sevastopol City Administration, a prerequisite for the expenditure of Ukrainian state funds. Work is now underway for the official British Crimean War memorial near the village of Dergachi to become the focus for official commemoration with the complex at Cathcart Hill being simplified to become a place for quiet contemplation.

Western Sahara

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to ensure that the rights of the Saharawi population of Western Sahara to enjoy specific natural resources, as stated in Article 1 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, are fulfilled.

Ivan Lewis: The Government believe that progress towards a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara, providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, is best achieved under the auspices of the UN. In accordance with UN Security Resolution 1871 of 30 April 2009, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, to facilitate a negotiated solution to the conflict.
	The UK maintains its position that Morocco, as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities under administration-including the extraction and exportation of natural resources-do not adversely affect the interests of the people in Western Sahara.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments: Young People

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stomach pumps were administered in accident and emergency departments  (a) to under 16 year-olds,  (b) to under 25 year olds and  (c) in total in each of the last five years.

Mike O'Brien: Data on the administration of stomach pumps in accident and emergency departments is not collected centrally.

Allergies: Consultants

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2009,  Official Report, column 685W, on allergies, 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to increase the number of  (a) adult and  (b) paediatric allergy consultants;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to increase the number of specialist allergy training posts available.

Ann Keen: In 2007 the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published a report on allergy. The Government published a response to that report in November 2007. An update on the current situation regarding allergy services has recently been placed in the Library.
	As part of implementing the House of Lords recommendations, in June 2007 the Department created five additional allergy and immunology training posts.
	Workforce planning in the national health service is managed locally and led by the strategic health authorities (SHAs) taking into account the national policy direction. SHAs assess with local services and clinicians the need for posts for allergists.
	The National Occupational Standards developed by Skills for Health, together with the development of care pathways and clinical guidance, will help enhance the knowledge and expertise of primary care staff caring for patients with allergies

Childbirth: Shropshire

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the percentage change in rates of birth to  (a) UK-born mothers and  (b) foreign-born mothers has been in the Shropshire County Primary Care Trust area since 2001.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question about what the percentage change in rates of birth to (a) UK born mothers and (b) foreign born mothers has been in the Shropshire County Primary Care Trust area since 2001. (288431)
	In order to calculate the requested birth rates, population estimates for UK born and foreign born females by five-year age group for Shropshire County PCT are required. These estimates are only available at the national level.
	Estimated birth rates for UK born and foreign born women in England and Wales have been published for 2004-2007 (Table 1). These rates show that fertility among UK born women has risen since 2004 while fertility among foreign born women, although higher, has remained relatively unchanged.
	
		
			  Table 1: Estimated total fertility rates for UK born and foreign born women, England and Wales, 2004-07 
			   Total fertility rate 
			   2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 UK born women 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 
			 Foreign born women 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.5 
			  Source: Birth registrations and Annual Population Survey. 
		
	
	The number of live births to UK born and foreign born mothers are available from birth registration. Table 2 below shows the number of live births to UK born and foreign born mothers usually resident in Shropshire County PCT in 2001 and 2007 (latest year available). The final two columns show the percentage change in live births to UK born and foreign born mothers between 2001 and 2007 in Shropshire County PCT and England and Wales. The percentage change in the number of births to UK born and foreign born women will reflect both changes in the size and age structure of the UK born and foreign born populations and any changes in birth rates.
	
		
			  Table 2: Live births to UK and foreign born mothers and percentage change, Shropshire county PCT, 2001-07 
			   County of birth of mother 
			   Shropshire county PCT  England and Wales 
			   Live births 2001  Live births 2007  Percentage change 2001-07  Percentage change 2001-07 
			 UK born 2,510 2,676 7 7 
			 Foreign born 118 188 59 64 
			 All 2,628 2,864 9 16 
			  Source: Birth registrations.

Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients: Children

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last 12 months.

Phil Hope: This information is not centrally collected.

Dental Services: Morecambe

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average waiting time for access to NHS dental services was in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many people were waiting for access to NHS dental services in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency on the latest date for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Departmental Accountancy

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish his Department's resource accounts for 2008-09.

Mike O'Brien: The Department's 2008-09 Resource Accounts were laid before the House of Commons on the 14 July (HC456), and copies are available in the Vote Office. The Resource Accounts will be published by The Stationery Office by the end of July.

Departmental Consultants

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on management consultants in each year since 1996-97.

Phil Hope: Specific information detailing spend on consultancy has been routinely collected by the Department since April 2005. Information on consultancy spend before April 2005 is not held by the Department.
	The figures from April 2005 until March 2008 are shown as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2005-06 133 
			 2006-07 205 
			 2007-08 132 
		
	
	In July 2008, the Department implemented a new business management system which has given the Department the scope to be more specific about the nature of each of the consultancy commissions.
	Work is ongoing to verify and validate the complete breakdown 2008-09 consultancy spend information with this new level of detail. We will endeavour to place the results in the Library shortly.

Departmental Consultants

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on non-medical consultants in each year since 2005.

Phil Hope: The figures from April 2005 until March 2008 are as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2005-06 133 
			 2006-07 205 
			 2007-08 132 
		
	
	In July 2008, the Department implemented a new business management system which has given the Department the scope to be more specific about the nature of each of the management consultancy commissions.
	Work is ongoing to verify and validate the complete breakdown 2008-09 management consultancy spend information with this new level of detail. We will endeavour to place the results in the Library shortly.

Departmental Contracts

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts let by his Department were awarded to businesses with fewer than 50 employees in each of the last five years; and what the monetary value of such contracts was in each such year.

Mike O'Brien: The requested information is not collected centrally by the Department.

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which databases managed by his Department and its agencies hold personal information on members of the public; on what date each such database become operational; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what categories of personal information about members of the public are contained on each relevant database managed by his Department and its agencies; on what date each category of information began to be collected; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what categories of personal information on members of the public will be held on each database expected to become operational in the next five years and which will be managed by his Department or one of its agencies; what estimate he has made of the likely number of individuals details each such database will hold when fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: A list of the databases managed by the Department and its agencies that hold personal information on members of the public has been placed in the Library. All such databases are managed in compliance with the Department's responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998. Since the publication of the cross government data handling review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	The categories of personal information contained in Department of Health databases are set out in the Department's entry in the Register of Data Controllers, the Information Commissioner's record of the annual notifications of processing that all data controllers are obliged to provide. A copy of the Department's current entry has been placed in the Library. The categories listed in the Department's entry are: personal details; family, lifestyle and social circumstances; education and training details; employment details; financial details; good or services provided; racial or ethnic origin; religious or other beliefs; physical or mental health or condition; sexual life. To provide a more detailed analysis linking categories of personal data to each database and stating when information in each category began to be collected would incur disproportionate cost.
	A table which lists databases expected to go live in the next five years with brief descriptions of the categories of information they will contain and estimates of number of individuals whose details they will hold, has been placed in the Library.

Departmental Hospitality

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the declaration of gifts and hospitality by  (a) its staff,  (b) staff of non-departmental public bodies which his Department sponsors and  (c) NHS employees.

Phil Hope: All staff in the Department are required to comply with the Civil Management Service Code guidance on gifts and hospitality. The Department also expects its non-departmental public bodies to abide by the same principles. National health service staff are required to comply with the guidance Standards of Business Conduct for NHS Staff, issued in 1993. Foundation trusts are free to develop their own guidance for staff.

Departmental Procurement

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department has made in implementing the recommendations of the Glover Report in its procurement processes.

Mike O'Brien: Following the publication of the Glover report in November 2008 the Office of Government Commerce established its Access4All programme in April 2009. This was developed to co-ordinate the implementation of the Glover Committee recommendations across Government and the public sector. The Department is represented in this initiative and will continue to participate fully as it develops.

Departmental Work Experience

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many interns work in his Department; what terms of reference apply to their appointment; what remuneration they receive; and how long on average an intern appointment lasts.

Phil Hope: The Department has committed to five places on the New Graduate Internships Programme announced by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills earlier this year.
	The detailed arrangements for these graduate internships, including specific terms of reference and remuneration are yet to be agreed. The placements will last a minimum of 12 weeks and aim to offer new graduates project focused work that will build their employability, and help them make informed choices about future career paths.
	The Department has also placed nine students on the Cabinet Office's Ethnic Minority Summer Development Programme this summer. This offers training placements in Government Departments to high calibre candidates from black and ethnic minority backgrounds or those with disabilities, with the aim of increasing representation from those groups in the Fast Stream and Senior Civil Service. Placements last eight weeks and those taking part receive £350 per week in London and £300 per week outside London.
	The Department also regularly takes on one year placement students and summer students within the analytical community. In 2008-09 there were eight students on one year placements and four summer students. They are paid a maximum of £19,662 per annum on a pro rata basis in London and £16,462 outside London.

Dermatology: Pharmacy

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects work to start on developing a future curriculum for pharmacists so that an improvement in the level of dermatology education can be included; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: In the White Paper, Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths-delivering the future (Cm7341), we set out plans to ensure that the pharmacy undergraduate degree course and pre-registration training provides pharmacists with clinical competencies to deliver the services of the future. Since February 2009, we have been working with the Modernising Pharmacy Careers Programme Board to develop a new model for undergraduate and pre-registration training and proposals for improving pharmacist postgraduate training, including where this supports better patient access to more specialist services. The Board, led by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, brings together wide-ranging pharmacy expertise and experience from schools of pharmacy, professional regulation, hospital and community pharmacy, research and the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry.

Dermatology: Training

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he require dermatology to be a mandatory part of medical student and GP training.

Ann Keen: The content of curriculum and quality and standard of training for medical students and general practitioners is not the responsibility of the Department but the responsibility of the appropriate professional regulatory body.
	However, the Department is committed to working with the professional regulatory bodies, Royal colleges and others to promote high standards of education and training to ensure that students and doctors are equipped with the up-to-date knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice.

Diabetes: Health Services

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for a diabetic ulcer in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not collected in the requested format. Preventing the long-term complications of diabetes, including diabetic foot ulcers, is a key part of the Diabetes National Service Framework. This is supplemented by guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence on the prevention and management of foot problems in people with diabetes. This recommends that people with diabetes should have their feet examined by trained personnel as part of the annual review process. We continue to work with NHS Diabetes to support the national health service in the provision and delivery of diabetes services. In June 2009, Diabetes UK in partnership with NHS Diabetes published Putting Feet First, which is guidance to support the management and prevention of diabetic foot disease in hospitals. A copy has already been placed in the Library.

Diamorphine

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the adequacy of the stock of diamorphine for the treatment of patients with serious or terminal conditions.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) on 16 June 2009,  Official Report, column 225W.

Drugs: Counterfeit Manufacturing

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the merits of the European Commission's proposals on an amendment to Council Directive 2001/83/EC in relation to the prevention of the counterfeiting of medicinal products.

Mike O'Brien: The Government strongly support the overall aims of these proposals to strengthen the medicines supply chain from the growing threat from counterfeit medicines. In drawing up their position for the European Union negotiations, the Government have consulted widely on the European Commission's proposals and continue to discuss the implications of the detailed provisions with the relevant sectors of the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders.

Epilepsy: Medical Treatments

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have implemented the clinical guidelines for the treatment of epilepsy set out by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2004.

Ann Keen: Information on the number of national health service trusts acting on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance for the treatment of epilepsy is not collected.
	I will shortly be writing to all the strategic health authority long-term condition leads drawing their attention to the importance of implementing the NICE guidance on epilepsy.

Fujitsu

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  with reference to the answer of 5 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1199-1200W, for what reason each breach of contract notice to Fujitsu under the Local Service Provider contract was issued;
	(2)  with reference to the answer of 5 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1199-1200W, on NHS: information and communication technology, what definition of the term contractor event of default he uses; to which suppliers and on what dates, each contractor event of default was issued; and for what reason each such notice was issued.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 171-73W.
	Contractor event of default is defined in Local Service Provider contracts, and covers a wide range of possible circumstances in which the supplier may fail or cease to be compliant with the supplier's obligations or duties as described in the contract. These include failure to achieve key milestones, level or quality of service failures, breach of confidentiality, loss of patient data, or insolvency.

Health Professions: Training

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many  (a) nurse return to practice course places and  (b) health visitor return to practice course places were available in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many applications for places on  (a) nurse return to practice courses and  (b) health visitor return to practice courses were received in each of the last 10 years.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.

Health Services: Buildings

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of portable buildings for provision of medical and clinical services in acute hospitals.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not produce policies on the use of portable buildings.
	National health service organisations are locally responsible for the provision of facilities including temporary buildings. All clinical, cleanliness, safety and quality, requirements that apply to permanent buildings will also apply to temporary ones.

Health Services: Oxfordshire

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Draft Legislative Programme 2009, Cm 7654, page 70, who in Oxfordshire will have responsibility for ensuring  (a) that patients receive (i) hospital treatment within 18 months and (ii) access to a cancer specialist within two weeks and  (b) that people between the ages of 40 and 74 years of age receive free NHS health checks.

Mike O'Brien: Proposals will be brought forward in the autumn.

Health Services: Prisoners

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners received treatment for self- harm in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The number of prisoners who have received treatment for self harm in each of the last five years is not collected centrally by the Department.

Health Services: Prisoners

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners received treatment for  (a) drug misuse and  (b) alcohol misuse in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The Department does not centrally collect the information on the number of prisoners who have received treatment for alcohol and drug misuse requested for each of the last five years.
	However, mechanisms have been put in place as of 1 April 2009 and prisons are now collecting baseline data on the number of drug users in effective treatment. This will enable the Department to collect comparable data for the treatment of drug misuse from April 2010.

Health Visitors: Manpower

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent health visitors were employed per 1,000 of the population in each primary care trust area in England in each year since 2002.

Ann Keen: Figures are not collected per 1,000 population. However, the following table outlines the number per 10,000.
	It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs) to determine how to use its funding to commission services to meet the health needs of their local populations. However, to support the Child Health Strategy and the Lord Laming recommendations on safeguarding, an 'Action on Health Visiting' programme was agreed at a joint Department of Health/Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association (CPHVA) summit on 5 May 2009.
	This will be taken forward in partnership with the CPHVA and other stakeholders. Action will be prioritised to increase workforce capacity and capability and to clarify the contribution of health visitors to the Healthy Child Programme, to working with vulnerable children and families and to safeguarding.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: Health visitors in En gland per 10,000 population by strategic health authority (SHA) area and by p rimar y care t rust (PCT) area as at 30 September each specified year 
			2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 England  2.01 2.03 1.96 1.86 1.78 1.72 
			 
			  North East strategic health authority area  2.50 2.50 2.43 2.28 2.25 2.03 
			 County Durham PCT 5ND 2.38 2.69 2.37 2.23 2.17 0.18 
			 Darlington PCT 5J9 2.29 2.32 2.03 2.02 2.13 13.94 
			 Gateshead PCT 5KF 2.11 2.06 2.11 2.23 2.07 1.91 
			 Hartlepool PCT 5D9 2.81 3.15 3.44 1.62 1.43 1.28 
			 Middlesbrough PCT 5KM 3.77 4.11 3.63 3.36 1.28 0.00 
			 Newcastle PCT 5D7 2.46 2.47 2.47 2.25 2.56 2.37 
			 North Tees PCT 5E1 2.27 2.22 2.07 2.10 1.96 1.75 
			 North Tyneside PCT 5D8 2.36 2.14 1.87 1.70 2.59 2.29 
			 Northumberland Care Trust TAC 2.60 2.69 2.56 2.54 2.67 1.22 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT 5QR 1.63 1.74 1.94 1.92 1.95 3.27 
			 South Tyneside PCT 5KG 2.49 2.29 2.57 2.42 2.57 2.65 
			 Sunderland Teaching PCT 5KL 2.57 2.19 2.50 2.45 2.41 2.04 
			 
			  North West strategic health authority area  2.33 2.43 2.40 2.36 2.20 2.15 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 5HG 2.67 2.46 2.65 2.79 2.69 2.73 
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 5CC 3.90 3.71 3.35 3.13 3.11 3.43 
			 Blackpool PCT 5HP 2.88 3.03 3.20 3.14 3.37 3.81 
			 Bolton PCT 5HQ 2.41 2.42 2.38 2.38 2.56 2.44 
			 Bury PCT 5JX 1.98 2.01 2.04 2.34 2.19 2.47 
			 Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 5NP 1.91 1.86 1.78 1.70 1.51 1.51 
			 Central Lancashire PCT 5NG 2.44 2.61 2.56 2.55 2.12 1.88 
			 Cumbria PCT 5NE 2.05 2.59 2.35 2.29 1.76 1.75 
			 East Lancashire PCT 5NH 2.75 2.74 2.65 2.47 2.30 2.12 
			 Halton and St. Helens PCT 5NM 1.87 1.96 1.96 1.71 1.66 1.92 
			 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 5NQ 2.71 2.49 2.51 2.50 2.63 3.09 
			 Knowsley PCT 5J4 3.26 3.23 3.65 3.78 3.87 3.04 
			 Liverpool PCT 5NL 2.36 2.28 2.31 1.96 2.14 2.02 
			 Manchester PCT 5NT 2.23 2.16 2.40 2.55 2.56 2.23 
			 North Lancashire PCT 5NF 1.51 1.53 1.41 1.47 1.50 2.19 
			 Oldham PCT 5J5 1.51 2.74 2.62 2.36 2.27 1.87 
			 Salford PCT 5F5 2.75 2.60 2.63 2.45 2.12 1.49 
			 Sefton PCT 5NJ 1.82 1.92 2.04 1.94 1.91 1.66 
			 Stockport PCT 5F7 3.35 3.96 3.72 4.04 2.17 1.95 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 5LH 2.45 2.35 2.08 2.49 2.35 2.13 
			 Trafford PCT 5NR 2.37 2.61 2.27 2.20 2.08 1.86 
			 Warrington PCT 5J2 2.06 1.80 1.87 1.84 1.75 1.96 
			 West Cheshire PCT 5NN 1.87 1.98 1.90 1.74 2.00 2.09 
			 Wirral PCT 5NK 1.80 2.10 2.21 2.05 2.15 2.11 
			 
			  Yorkshire and the Humber strategic health authority areas 5JE 2.26 2.25 2.19 2.10 1.99 1.90 
			 Barnsley PCT 5NY 2.43 2.44 2.36 2.19 1.97 2.17 
			 Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT  2.71 2.55 2.43 2.61 2.48 2.39 
			 Calderdale PCT 5J6 2.36 2.41 2.63 2.73 2.43 2.41 
			 Doncaster PCT 5N5 2.42 2.54 2.65 2.44 2.54 2.58 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire PCT 5NW 1.84 1.82 1.75 1.73 1.68 1.57 
			 Hull Teaching PCT 5NX 2.53 2.75 2.71 2.63 2.55 2.34 
			 Kirklees PCT 5N2 2.33 2.10 1.98 1.93 1.61 1.63 
			 Leeds PCT 5N1 1.95 2.09 2.07 1.82 1.74 1.67 
			 North East Lincolnshire Care Trust TAN 2.37 2.34 2.13 2.23 2.23 2.21 
			 North Lincolnshire PCT 5EF 1.96 2.26 2.04 2.32 2.36 1.91 
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT 5NV 2.16 2.06 1.99 1.71 1.57 1.32 
			 Rotherham PCT 5H8 2.40 2.24 2.34 2.16 2.14 1.98 
			 Sheffield PCT 5N4 2.13 2.01 1.95 1.87 1.75 1.70 
			 Wakefield District PCT 5N3 2.39 2.30 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.24 
			 
			  East Midlands strategic health authority area  1.78 1.80 1.75 1.75 1.65 1.58 
			 Bassetlaw PCT 5ET 1.38 1.20 1.04 1.17 1.46 1.38 
			 Derby City PCT 5N7 2.54 2.31 1.95 1.84 1.92 1.97 
			 Derbyshire County PCT 5N6 1.87 1.93 1.98 1.89 1.93 1.86 
			 Leicester City Teaching PCT 5PC 1.89 2.28 2.64 2.34 2.38 1.94 
			 Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 5PA 1.21 1.30 1.21 1.20 1.13 1.09 
			 Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 5N9 1.71 1.69 1.60 1.57 1.55 1.62 
			 Northamptonshire Teaching PCT 5PD 1.75 1.69 1.69 1.65 1.61 1.41 
			 Nottingham City PCT 5EM 2.62 2.53 2.36 2.34 2.19 2.38 
			 Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT 5N8 1.69 1.73 1.57 1.91 1.38 1.25 
			 
			  West Midlands strategic health authority area  2.05 2.05 1.83 1.73 1.85 1.82 
			 Birmingham East and North PCT 5PG 1.95 1.73 1.58 1.48 1.92 1.70 
			 Coventry Teaching PCT 5MD 1.72 1.57 1.51 1.41 1.22 1.15 
			 Dudley PCT 5PE 1.68 1.76 1.76 1.54 1.64 1.91 
			 Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT 5MX 1.46 1.28 1.26 1.34 2.66 2.46 
			 Herefordshire PCT 5CN 1.94 1.91 1.23 1.27 1.42 1.09 
			 North Staffordshire PCT 5PH 2.25 2.26 1.88 1.95 1.84 1.78 
			 Sandwell PCT 5PF 2.13 2.47 2.46 2.15 2.24 2.22 
			 Shropshire County PCT 5M2 2.06 2.10 2.02 1.79 1.61 1.47 
			 Solihull Care Trust TAM 2.10 2.44 2.21 2.32 2.43 2.12 
			 South Birmingham PCT 5M1 1.73 1.63 1.60 1.80 1.58 1.75 
			 South Staffordshire PCT 5PK 1.98 2.11 1.99 1.96 1.76 1.73 
			 Stoke on Trent Teaching PCT 5PJ 3.77 3.06 2.65 2.40 2.31 2.69 
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT 5MK 2.70 2.63 2.43 2.26 1.94 2.09 
			 Walsall Teaching PCT 5M3 1.74 1.90 1.83 1.66 1.85 1.88 
			 Warwickshire PCT 5PM 1.63 1.64 1.56 1.51 1.50 1.44 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 5MV 2.10 2.34 0.60 0.30 2.03 2.04 
			 Worcestershire PCT 5PL 2.12 2.07 2.13 2.04 1.96 1.87 
			 
			  East of England strategic health authority area  1.64 1.75 1.73 1.64 1.51 1.47 
			 Bedfordshire PCT 5P2 1.78 1.87 1.85 1.74 1.63 1.67 
			 Cambridgeshire PCT 5PP 1.12 1.41 1.28 1.14 1.03 0.75 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 5P3 1.55 1.60 1.78 1.63 1.42 1.52 
			 Great Yarmouth and Waveny Teaching PCT 5PR 1.79 2.18 1.98 2.14 1.83 1.65 
			 Luton PCT 5GC 2.67 2.75 2.56 2.28 1.54 1.89 
			 Mid Essex PCT5PX 5PX 1.29 1.41 1.43 1.36 1.26 1.18 
			 Norfolk PCT 5PQ 1.39 1.52 1.76 1.53 1.44 1.41 
			 North East Essex PCT 5PW 1.32 1.27 1.36 1.41 1.22 1.14 
			 Peterborough PCT 5PN 2.26 2.69 2.17 2.49 2.50 2.17 
			 South East Essex PCT 5P1 1.85 1.89 1.97 1.97 1.91 1.65 
			 South West Essex Teaching PCT 5PY 1.77 1.86 1.75 1.87 1.88 1.92 
			 Suffolk PCT 5PT 1.62 1.69 1.49 1.48 1.21 1.44 
			 West Essex PCT 5PV 1.51 1.59 1.65 1.60 1.38 1.44 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT 5P4 1.84 1.84 1.79 1.47 1.67 1.50 
			 
			  London strategic health authority area  2.01 1.99 1.93 1.88 1.78 1.73 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 5C2 2.20 2.17 2.04 1.99 1.82 1.26 
			 Barnet PCT 5A9 1.66 1.47 1.43 0.96 0.69 0.75 
			 Bexley Care Trust TAK 1.93 1.85 1.84 1.87 1.78 1.96 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 5K5 0.07 2.14 2.30 1.94 1.60 1.36 
			 Bromley PCT 5A7 2.03 2.21 2.14 2.09 1.97 1.91 
			 Camden PCT 5K7 1.16 1.48 1.17 1.22 0.97 1.19 
			 City and Hackney PCT 5C3 1.87 1.62 1.56 1.90 1.86 2.17 
			 Croydon PCT 5K9 1.71 1.72 1.76 1.74 1.69 1.63 
			 Ealing PCT 5HX 2.11 1.90 1.99 1.94 1.86 1.82 
			 Enfield PCT 5C1 1.67 1.57 1.56 1.48 1.45 1.36 
			 Greenwich Teaching PCT 5A8 2.70 2.40 2.15 2.79 2.22 2.03 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 5H1 2.94 3.04 3.13 3.09 2.82 3.21 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 5C9 2.25 1.88 1.88 1.46 1.70 0.21 
			 Harrow PCT 5K6 1.73 1.69 1.68 1.14 1.47 1.43 
			 Havering PCT 5A4 3.20 1.54 1.65 1.54 1.45 1.31 
			 Hillingdon PCT 5AT 1.59 1.74 1.98 1.70 1.59 1.59 
			 Hounslow PCT 5HY 1.69 1.63 1.28 1.24 1.25 1.45 
			 Islington PCT 5K8 2.13 1.59 1.37 1.67 1.73 1.48 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 5LA 1.50 1.59 1.18 1.45 1.56 1.47 
			 Kingston PCT 5A5 1.69 1.87 1.70 1.62 1.48 1.26 
			 Lambeth PCT 5LD 2.35 2.27 2.07 1.90 1.43 1.43 
			 Lewisham PCT 5LF 3.77 3.78 2.78 3.06 2.65 2.64 
			 Newham PCT 5C5 1.88 1.46 1.61 1.63 1.68 1.36 
			 Redbridge PCT 5NA 1.29 1.04 0.92 1.23 1.28 1.48 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 5M6 1.90 1.97 1.92 1.85 1.93 1.64 
			 Southwark PCT 5LE 3.07 2.94 2.76 2.96 2.71 3.20 
			 Sutton and Merton PCT 5M7 2.00 2.22 2.13 2.09 2.12 1.92 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 5C4 1.61 1.48 1.83 1.89 2.30 2.19 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 5NC 1.83 2.05 1.97 1.87 1.65 1.89 
			 Wandsworth PCT 5LG 2.41 2.32 2.59 2.11 1.87 1.68 
			 Westminster PCT 5LC 2.03 2.60 2.52 2.47 2.48 1.97 
			 
			  South East Coast strategic health authority area  1.78 1.82 1.68 1.39 1.38 1.35 
			 East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT 5P7 2.02 1.71 1.86 0.95 1.59 1.52 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent Teaching PCT 5QA 1.61 1.55 1.61 1.61 1.55 1.62 
			 Hastings and Rother PCT 5P8 1.76 1.76 1.82 1.79 1.85 1.85 
			 Medway PCT 5L3 2.08 2.43 2.29 2.15 2.10 1.84 
			 Surrey PCT 5P5 1.57 1.59 1.48 1.31 1.22 1.11 
			 West Kent PCT 5P9 1.81 1.76 1.56 0.54 0.59 1.06 
			 West Sussex Teaching PCT 5P6 1.50 1.89 1.47 1.58 1.37 1.08 
			 
			  South Central strategic health authority area  2.05 1.86 1.82 1.67 1.57 1.40 
			 Berkshire East Teaching PCT 5QG 1.92 1.76 1.77 1.73 1.72 1.44 
			 Berkshire West PCT 5QF 1.83 1.84 1.84 1.79 1.70 1.48 
			 Buckinghamshire PCT 5QD 2.60 2.36 2.07 1.54 1.64 1.59 
			 Hampshire PCT 5QC 1.86 1.56 1.49 1.32 1.25 1.03 
			 Isle of Wight Healthcare PCT 5QT 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.97 0.93 1.12 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 5CQ 2.63 2.07 2.34 2.43 2.32 2.14 
			 Oxfordshire PCT 5QE 2.21 2.15 2.13 1.94 1.79 1.79 
			 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 5FE 1.79 1.91 1.76 1.88 1.81 1.57 
			 Southampton City PCT 5L1 2.08 2.61 2.27 2.36 1.47 1.10 
			 
			  South West strategic health authority area  1.81 1.89 1.84 1.69 1.64 1.61 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 5FL 2.00 2.15 1.97 1.89 1.87 1.71 
			 Bournemouth and Poole PCT 5QN 1.27 1.77 2.05 2.00 1.77 1.90 
			 Bristol Teaching PCT 5QJ 1.76 2.81 2.53 2.45 2.16 2.22 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 5QP 1.78 1.72 1.77 1.76 1.66 1.67 
			 Devon PCT 5QQ 1.51 1.45 1.42 1.49 1.30 1.19 
			 Dorset PCT 5QM 2.47 1.75 1.91 1.68 1.59 1.57 
			 Gloucestershire PCT 5QH 2.07 2.12 1.93 1.09 1.70 1.73 
			 North Somerset PCT 5M8 1.34 1.48 1.62 1.49 1.40 1.51 
			 Plymouth Teaching PCT 5F1 2.65 2.45 2.31 2.08 1.91 1.85 
			 Somerset PCT 5QL 0.87 1.55 1.84 1.81 1.60 1.41 
			 South Gloucestershire PCT 5A3 2.46 2.32 1.42 1.29 1.48 1.49 
			 Swindon PCT 5K3 2.17 1.95 1.66 1.90 1.87 1.48 
			 Torbay Care Trust TAL 1.80 0.00 1.76 1.69 1.50 1.60 
			 Wiltshire PCT 5QK 1.78 1.62 1.63 1.48 1.44 1.45 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are based on full-time equivalent health visitor figures. 2. PCT figures have been mapped to the current organisational structure. 3. 2008 population figures are not yet available. Figures have been calculated using workforce figures and population estimates from the previous year, so 2008 figures are calculated using 2008 census figures and 2007 population estimates. 4. A small number of health visitors are employed by NHS trusts for which population figures are not available. These staff are included in SHA area and England totals. 5. Figures are at one decimal place per 1,000 and two decimal places per 10,000.  Sources: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce census. PCO Mid-Year Final Population Estimates, 2001 Population Census Based. ONS Population Estimates.

Health: Children

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations he has received on the usefulness of his Department's guidance on the maximum recommended amount of time infants aged up to six months should spend in  (a) pushchairs and  (b) car seats of categories 0 and 0+;
	(2)  what guidance  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the NHS issue on the maximum safe length of time for an infant aged up to six months to spend in a car seat.

Ann Keen: No guidance has been issued by this Department on the length of time an infant aged up to six months should spend in either a pushchair or car seat.
	Our publication the Pregnancy Book provides general advice on the use of pushchairs and car seats. We advise that pushchairs are only suitable for babies if they have fully reclining seats which allow the baby to lie flat. In a car, a safety restraint must be used. It is dangerous and illegal for a baby to be carried in their parents' arms in a car. Similar advice is given in Birth to Five; guidance on parenthood and the first five years of life.
	Copies of the relevant chapters have been placed in the Library.

Heart Diseases

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people each primary care trust had registered as having  (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,  (b) asthma,  (c) tuberculosis and  (d) lung cancer on the latest date for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: Figures for the number of people, in England, registered with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma can be found in the 2007-08 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), a copy has already been placed in the Library.
	The table in question, PCT level QOF tables 2007-08-prevalence.xls, can be viewed on the following link:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/supporting-information/audits-and-performance/the-quality-and-outcomes-framework/qof-2007/08/data-tables
	A copy of the table has been placed in the Library.
	We do not hold figures for the number of people registered with tuberculosis or lung cancer.

Hospital Wards: Gender

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2009,  Official Report, column 511WA, on hospital wards, what local improvements and changes  (a) were planned to be implemented and  (b) were implemented by the end of June 2009; and how much was spent on each improvement and change which has been implemented.

Ann Keen: Strategic health authority (SHA) plans for the £100 million Privacy and Dignity Fund have already been placed in the Library, detailing the planned improvements and changes.
	The latest information from the SHAs confirms almost 50 per cent. of the schemes were completed by the end of June. Examples of the work undertaken include new and refurbished bathrooms and toilets, curtains and partitions to improve the privacy of patients and a number of communication initiatives to raise awareness with staff, the patients and the public. Regular monitoring of progress against SHA plans continues.
	Information is not available to confirm the funding for each individual project.

Hospitals: Admissions

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners were admitted to hospital due to  (a) drug misuse,  (b) alcohol misuse and  (c) self-harm in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The Department does not centrally collect data on the number of prisoners admitted to hospital due to alcohol or drug misuse.
	The number of prisoners (both male and female) admitted to hospital due to self harm in each of the last five years is as follows.
	
		
			  Self harm incidents-England and Wales (male and female) admitted as in-patient to hospital 
			   Number 
			 2004 134 
			 2005 153 
			 2006 159 
			 2007 122 
			 2008 135

Incontinence

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made for  (a) pre- and  (b) post-registration education and training for nurses on the provision of continence services.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.
	Work force planning, including training, in the national health service is managed and led at a local level by the strategic health authorities taking into account the national policy direction.
	Local NHS organisations are best placed determine the levels of service and resource required to meet the health needs of the local population.

Incontinence

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government intends continence care to be part of its Carers Dignity and Respect agenda.

Phil Hope: Incontinence is a challenge to dignity and through the Dignity in Care campaign we are equipping local people with the information, advice and support necessary to drive up standards of care with respect to dignity for the individual.

Insect Bites

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) hospital admissions and  (b) bed days with a primary or secondary cause of insect bites were recorded in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The data requested are not available in precisely the form requested.
	From 2003-04 to 2007-08 the activity in English national health service hospitals, and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector, for the number of admissions and bed days in hospital due to the patient being bitten or stung by a non-venomous insect or other non-venomous arthropod (e.g. spider or tick), recorded in Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) as cause code W57, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Finished admission episodes  Total bed days during the year 
			 2003-04 1,719 3,790 
			 2004-05 1,988 3,929 
			 2005-06 2,161 4,179 
			 2006-07 2,738 4,655 
			 2007-08 2,614 4,548 
			 Notes: 1. Finished admission episodes-A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 
			 2. Total bed days during the year-Bed days of finished episodes only include days of bed occupancy from episode start date or 1 April (whichever is later) to episode end date or 31 March (whichever is earlier). These do not include unfinished episodes which end in the subsequent year. 3. Cause code W57-Bitten or stung by non-venomous insect and other non-venomous arthropods. The cause code is a supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. The field within HES counts only the first external cause code which is coded within the episode. 4. Ungrossed data-Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed). Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Kidneys: Health Education

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2009,  Official Report, column 868W, on kidneys: health education, 
	(1)  what plans he has to consult  (a) patients and  (b) clinicians prior to the publication of his Department's information leaflet on identifying unhealthy kidneys; and what plans he has to ensure the wide availability and distribution of the leaflet;
	(2)  when he plans to publish the patient information leaflet on identifying unhealthy kidneys; and what plans he has to publicise its launch.

Ann Keen: The patient information leaflet on proteinuria is being developed in partnership with clinicians and patients. This is to be part of a pack of information on proteinuria testing already published on the Department's website for general practitioners and laboratories.
	This can be found at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Secondarycare/Pathology/DH_096049
	We are in the process of determining how best to promote the leaflet widely before publication by early autumn.

Medic Alert: Organs

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will take steps to promote MedicAlert as a sole central register for those with organ donation wishes and advanced decision wishes; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure that, on commencement of their roles, all emergency services personnel receive training in the life-saving services provided by the MedicAlert Foundation.

Ann Keen: It is important that people wishing to be organ donors have flexibility in making that wish known, for example they can carry a donor card, register on the national organ donor register, make their wishes known to another organisation or simply tell family and friends. The important thing is that the information is readily available at the appropriate time.
	The Government do not see a single national database or central register for advance decisions as the best way forward. The intention has always been to allow as much flexibility as possible for those making advance decisions.
	Ambulance trusts are responsible for providing appropriate training for staff, and information on whether this includes training on MedicAlert is not available centrally.

Mental Health Services

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to provide treatment for  (a) psychotic and ( b) bipolar depressive conditions.

Phil Hope: We have made very substantial resources available to the national health service from which to provide mental health care treatments and services. However, the responsibility for providing all NHS services, including provision of treatments for bi-polar depressive conditions and psychosis, now rests with primary care trusts.
	Since 2001-02, real terms investment in adult mental health services increased by 44 per cent. (or £1.7 billion) putting in place the services and staff needed to transform mental health services. The NHS spent £5.53 billion on these services in 2007-08 (£3.844 billion in 2001-02).
	There are 67 per cent. more consultant psychiatrists, 79 per cent. more clinical psychologists and at least 23 per cent. more mental health nurses than we had in 1997, providing better care and support for people with mental health problems.
	More than 740 new community mental health teams offer home treatment, early intervention, or intensive support for people who might otherwise have been admitted to hospital.

Mental Health Services: Morecambe

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve mental health provision for young people in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not held centrally. It is the responsibility of local national health service organisations to plan, develop and improve local health services according to the needs of the local population. My hon. Friend may wish to approach the North Lancashire primary care trust and the Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust for information relevant to the Morecambe and Lunesdale area.

Mentally Incapacitated: Children

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what locations in Bournemouth severely mentally impaired children may be treated; and what choice parents have about the location at which treatment is provided.

Phil Hope: The South West strategic health authority has advised that there is a range of outreach support and choice to young people who have a mental illness, learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, and their families, in a variety of local settings including the individuals' own home, schools and general practitioner surgeries. These services are backed up by specialist intensive outreach and in-patient provision, and provide support for young people across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset.
	The service is aimed at being sensitive to the rights and needs of parents and carers, and involves them in the intervention process where appropriate. It also adheres to the Heath Advisory Service requirements, the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and the National Service Frameworks for mental health and children and young people, and offers confidentiality in the context of safeguarding children.

Midwives: Recruitment

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to increase the numbers of midwives employed by the NHS.

Ann Keen: The Secretary of State announced a package of measures in February 2008 to recruit an extra 1,000 midwives by 2009, rising to around 4,000 by 2012, dependent on the birth rate continuing to rise.

Mid-Yorkshire NHS Trust: Doctors

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were employed by the Mid-Yorkshire NHS Trust  (a) in 1997 and  (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: The information is not available in the format requested. The information as is available is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of doctors employed by  the  Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, 2002-08 
			   Number (headcount)  Full-time equivalent 
			 2002 580 544 
			 2003 572 543 
			 2004 626 597 
			 2005 665 641 
			 2006 678 654 
			 2007 705 686 
			 2008 705 686 
			  Notes: 1. The structure of national health service trusts in the Wakefield area has changed over the period the data is requested for. In April 2002, the Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust was formed from the partial-merger of the Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals NHS Trust and the Dewsbury Health Care NHS Trust. Data is shown for the Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, from 2002 onwards. 2. Work force statistics are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data. Processing methods and procedures are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where this happens, any impact on figures already published will be assessed but unless this is significant at national level they will not be changed. Where there is impact only at detailed or local level this will be footnoted in relevant analyses.  Source: NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

National Joint Registry Steering Committee

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the annual salary was of each member of the board of the National Joint Registry Steering Committee in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much the National Joint Registry Steering Committee spent on staffing in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many  (a) full-time equivalent and  (b) part- time staff are employed by the National Joint Registry Steering Committee;
	(4)  how much was spent on external consultancy by the National Joint Registry Steering Committee in each of the last five years;
	(5)  what the cost of the office premises occupied by the National Joint Registry Steering Committee was in each of the last five years;
	(6)  what the budget for the National Joint Registry Steering Committee was in each of the last five years;
	(7)  on what dates Ministers in his Department last met staff of the National Joint Registry Steering Committee.

Ann Keen: The National Joint Registry Steering Group is an advisory non-departmental public body. Members are unpaid but reimbursed for their travel and subsistence. The steering group does not employ staff and does not occupy any office premises. It does not have an annual budget, as it receives its funding through a levy on hip and knee joint replacements supplied to the national health service and independent health care providers, and it has not spent any money on external consultancy.

Neurology

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the progress by local NHS trusts in implementing the National Service Framework for long-term neurological conditions since the end of the framework planning period in 2008.

Ann Keen: We have made no assessment of the progress being made by primary care trusts in implementing the long-term conditions National Service Framework (NSF) since the end of the framework planning period.
	I will shortly be writing to all strategic health authority long-term conditions leads outlining the importance of the recommendations made in the NSF for long-term conditions.

Neurology

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of the National Service Framework for long-term neurological conditions  (a) before and  (b) after the devolution of responsibility for the framework to the regional Long Term Conditions Delivery Support Team.

Ann Keen: We have made no recent assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of the National Service Framework (NSF) for long-term neurological conditions.
	I will shortly be writing to all strategic health authority long-term conditions leads outlining the importance of the recommendations made in the NSF for long-term conditions.

Neurology

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the merits of appointing a full-time national lead officer for neurological conditions.

Ann Keen: We have made no recent assessment of the merits of appointing a national lead officer for neurological conditions.

NHS: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 346-48W, on NHS: finance, when each loan was made; for what purpose each loan was made; what the reasons are for differences in the interest rates charged; and which of the trusts listed in the Answer are in the financially challenged trusts regime.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is provided in the table. The interest rate paid on loans is the National Loan Fund (NLF) Equal Instalment of Principle rate. The interest rate is updated daily and the actual rate charged relates to the term of loan. The rate is published daily by the Debt Management Office. Current and historic rates are available at:
	www.dmo.gov.uk/index.aspx?page=PWLB/PWLB_Interest_Rates
	Of the organisations who have outstanding loans, Whipps Cross University Hospitals NHS trust is the only organisation currently designated as a financially challenged trust.
	
		
			  NHS trust name  Original loan value £000  Date loan made  Loan purpose 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 3,000 12 November 2007 Capital investment 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Trust 3,480 12 November 2007 Capital investment 
			 Rob Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust 500 12 November 2007 Capital investment 
			 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 700 17 December 2007 Capital investment 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 7,500 17 March 2008 Capital investment 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust 6,141 17 March 2008 Capital investment 
			 West Hertfordshire NHS Trust 13,500 15 July 2008 Capital investment 
			 West Hertfordshire NHS Trust 13,500 15 September 2008 Capital investment 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust 7,000 15 September 2008 Capital investment 
			 South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust 3,454 15 September 2008 Capital investment 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 8,000 15 September 2008 Capital investment 
			 Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2,460 17 December 2008 Capital investment 
			 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 1,500 17 December 2008 Capital investment 
			 South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust 3,551 17 December 2008 Capital investment 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 12,300 16 March 2009 Capital investment 
			 Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust 800 16 March 2009 Capital investment 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust 7,900 16 March 2009 Capital investment 
			 Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust 7,000 16 March 2009 Capital investment 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospital NHS Trust 400 15 September 2007 Working capital 
			 Scarborough And North East Yorks NHS Trust 765 15 September 2007 Working capital 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 250 15 September 2007 Working capital 
			 West Sussex NHS Trust 1,063 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospital NHS Trust 400 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 Scarborough And North East Yorks NHS Trust 764 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 4,550 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust 1,782 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 West Sussex NHS Trust 1,063 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust 4,888 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 2,597 16 March 2009 Working capital 
			 Western Area NHS Trust 800 16 March 2009 Working capital 
			 East Cheshire NHS Trust 7,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust 1,700 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 12,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 University Hospitals Of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust 6,500 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Scarborough And North East Yorks NHS Trust 7,646 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Hull And East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 10,896 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 South Warwickshire Gen Hospitals NHS Trust 18,500 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Rob Jones And A Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust 3,400 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust 3,279 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust 6,800 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 25,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Shrewsbury And Telford Hospital NHS Trust 12,299 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Trust 6,300 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 23,400 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 1,950 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 23,400 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 13,650 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 11,200 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 East And North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 7,800 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 15,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 26,294 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust 11,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 34,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 23,830 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Barnet And Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 17,500 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Epsom And St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 14,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 West Sussex NHS Trust 17,005 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 West Sussex NHS Trust 23,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Ashford And St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust 14,700 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Surrey And Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust 56,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 4,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Brighton And Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust 29,322 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 25,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Winchester And Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust 5,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust 19,986 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust 38,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 52,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Avon And Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 5,000 22 March 2007 Working capital 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust 3,000 17 March 2008 Working capital 
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 31,400 15 July 2008 Working capital 
			 University Hospitals Of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust 16,000 15 July 2008 Working capital 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust 5,500 15 July 2008 Working capital 
			 Weston Area Health Authority 14,300 15 July 2008 Working capital 
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 46,125 15 July 2008 Working capital 
			 West Middlesex University NHS Trust 17,000 15 July 2008 Working capital 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 5,000 15 September 2008 Working capital 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 2,000 16 March 2009 Working capital 
			 East Cheshire NHS Trust 2,533 16 March 2009 Working capital

NHS: Management Consultants

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS has spent on management consultants in each year since 1996-97.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not collect the specific information requested centrally.

NHS: Manpower

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many public health workers have been employed in the NHS in the East of England region in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: Information is not available in the format requested. The following table, however, shows the number of medical and dental staff within the public health medicine (PHM) and community health services (CHS) group of specialists in the East of England strategic health authority (SHA) area since 1997.
	It is worth noting, that there are increasing numbers of non-medical public health workers, following the introduction of an MSc in public health for non-medical staff, which would not be picked up in the medical and dental workforce census. There have also been a number of reorganisations within the national health service since 1997, which may account for fluctuation in figures.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): Medical and dental staff within the PHM and CHS group of specialties in East of England SHA, England, at 30 September each year 
			   Headcount 
			 1997 394 
			 1998 326 
			 1999 331 
			 2000 296 
			 2001 271 
			 2002 293 
			 2003 275 
			 2004 291 
			 2005 294 
			 2006 280 
			 2007 310 
			 2008 276 
			  Notes: The data in the table shows only medical and dental staff specifically working within the PHM and CHS specialty group. The public health medicine area is a large, somewhat complex area and it is not possible to separately identify staff in this area using the available census data breakdowns. Data has therefore been provided for those staff we can identify as working in this area. Figures exclude all non-medical staff, such as nursing and allied health professionals. 
			  Data quality: Workforce statistics are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data. Processing methods and procedures are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where this happens any impact on figures already published will be assessed but unless this is significant at national level they will not be changed. Where there is impact only at detailed or local level this will be footnoted in relevant analyses.  Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

NHS: Manpower

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 348-49W, on NHS: manpower, if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the National Framework Agreements; what pay rates are used under each agreement; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of such pay that  (a) agencies and  (b) employees receive under each such contract.

Ann Keen: The national framework agreements for these contracts and the rates of pay included in them are confidential and commercially sensitive. The framework agreement has only recently been awarded and to release its full provisions would not be in the commercial interests of the companies concerned nor of the national health service as a whole.
	Although there is an interest in releasing this data to ensure that the public sector's procurement practices are as transparent as possible, we must set this against the risk that the release of the information would prejudice fair competition between the current suppliers of temporary staff and their competitors both in this framework agreement and in future tenders.
	It would be extremely difficult to estimate the proportion of pay that agencies and employees receive and present it in a meaningful form. This is because every supplier tenders a unique pay and charge rate for each type of temporary worker supplied. For doctors alone there are 140 different grades and specialties each with an individual pay and charge rate. On top of that there are 19 different discount options and both a long and a short-term booking version from each of the 53 agencies giving nearly 300,000 prices on this contract alone.

NHS: Meat

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department provides to the NHS on the procurement of halal meat; and whether that guidance differentiates between stunned and pre-stunned meat.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not provide advice to national health service trusts on the purchase of halal meat.

NHS: Public Consultation

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what host has been appointed to each local involvement network; and how much funding his Department provided to each such network in 2008-09.

Ann Keen: Local authorities with social services responsibilities are under a statutory duty to make arrangements for local involvement network (LINk) activities to be carried on in their area. They do this by contracting with what is known as a host organisation. Neither local authorities nor hosts are required to inform the Department of which host has been contracted for which LINk.
	However, the National Centre for Involvement maintains a contact list of host organisations on an informal basis which is available as a .pdf document. The latest version has been placed in the Library.
	The Department provides funds to local authorities to support LINk activities as part of the annual area-based grant. The grant is not ring-fenced. The allocations to each local authority for 2008-09 to 2010-11 are given in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Local authority  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			  Principal metropolitan cities
			 Birmingham 0.558 0.556 0.554 
			 Leeds 0.308 0.307 0.306 
			 Liverpool 0.291 0.288 0.286 
			 Manchester 0.288 0.287 0.287 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 0.171 0.17 0.168 
			 Sheffield 0.263 0.263 0.262 
			 Sub-total 1.879 1.871 1.863 
			 
			  Other metropolitan districts
			 Barnsley 0.152 0.152 0.152 
			 Bolton 0.166 0.166 0.165 
			 Bradford 0.259 0.259 0.26 
			 Bury 0.122 0.122 0.122 
			 Calderdale 0.13 0.13 0.13 
			 Coventry 0.178 0.177 0.177 
			 Doncaster 0.172 0.172 0.172 
			 Dudley 0.173 0.173 0.172 
			 Gateshead 0.14 0.139 0.138 
			 Kirklees 0.202 0.202 0.202 
			 Knowsley 0.14 0.139 0.139 
			 North Tyneside 0.134 0.134 0.134 
			 Oldham 0.151 0.151 0.151 
			 Rochdale 0.147 0.146 0.146 
			 Rotherham 0.16 0.16 0.16 
			 Salford 0.159 0.158 0.157 
			 Sandwell 0.202 0.202 0.201 
			 Sefton 0.172 0.171 0.17 
			 Solihull 0.119 0.119 0.119 
			 South Tyneside 0.127 0.126 0.126 
			 St. Helens 0.132 0.132 0.132 
			 Stockport 0.149 0.149 0.148 
			 Sunderland 0.176 0.175 0.174 
			 Tameside 0.146 0.146 0.146 
			 Trafford 0.13 0.13 0.129 
			 Wakefield 0.182 0.182 0.182 
			 Walsall 0.17 0.169 0.169 
			 Wigan 0.175 0.175 0.175 
			 Wirral 0.2 0.199 0.199 
			 Wolverhampton 0.169 0.168 0.167 
			 Sub-total 4.833 4.824 4.814 
			 
			  Inner London
			 City of London 0.063 0.063 0.064 
			 Camden 0.176 0.177 0.179 
			 Greenwich 0.188 0.188 0.188 
			 Hackney 0.207 0.207 0.206 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0.143 0.143 0.143 
			 Islington 0.17 0.17 0.169 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0.14 0.142 0.143 
			 Lambeth 0.207 0.206 0.205 
			 Lewisham 0.197 0.195 0.194 
			 Southwark 0.211 0.21 0.209 
			 Tower Hamlets 0.208 0.208 0.208 
			 Wandsworth 0.169 0.169 0.168 
			 Westminster 0.174 0.176 0.178 
			 Sub-total 2.254 2.254 2.253 
			 
			  Outer London
			 Barking and Dagenham 0.147 0.146 0.146 
			 Barnet 0.182 0.182 0.182 
			 Bexley 0.131 0.131 0.131 
			 Brent 0.185 0.185 0.184 
			 Bromley 0.151 0.151 0.15 
			 Croydon 0.188 0.188 0.187 
			 Ealing 0.183 0.182 0.182 
			 Enfield 0.179 0.179 0.178 
			 Haringey 0.172 0.171 0.171 
			 Harrow 0.138 0.138 0.138 
			 Havering 0.133 0.132 0.132 
			 Hillingdon 0.147 0.147 0.146 
			 Hounslow 0.142 0.141 0.141 
			 Kingston upon Thames 0.102 0.102 0.102 
			 Merton 0.123 0.123 0.123 
			 Newham 0.214 0.213 0.212 
			 Redbridge 0.156 0.156 0.156 
			 Richmond upon Thames 0.107 0.107 0.107 
			 Sutton 0.118 0.117 0.117 
			 Waltham Forest 0.164 0.163 0.162 
			 Sub-total 3.062 3.054 3.047 
			 
			  Shire counties
			 Bedfordshire 0.171 0.172 0.172 
			 Buckinghamshire 0.182 0.182 0.182 
			 Cambridgeshire 0.219 0.22 0.222 
			 Cheshire 0.257 0.257 0.258 
			 Cornwall 0.252 0.253 0.255 
			 Cumbria 0.232 0.232 0.232 
			 Derbyshire 0.314 0.315 0.316 
			 Devon 0.298 0.299 0.301 
			 Dorset 0.183 0.184 0.184 
			 Durham 0.256 0.255 0.255 
			 East Sussex 0.236 0.237 0.237 
			 Essex 0.48 0.482 0.484 
			 Gloucestershire 0.231 0.231 0.231 
			 Hampshire 0.378 0.379 0.381 
			 Hertfordshire 0.361 0.361 0.361 
			 Kent 0.492 0.493 0.495 
			 Lancashire 0.454 0.455 0.456 
			 Leicestershire 0.219 0.22 0.221 
			 Lincolnshire 0.285 0.287 0.29 
			 Norfolk 0.342 0.344 0.345 
			 North Yorkshire 0.222 0.222 0.223 
			 Northamptonshire 0.253 0.254 0.256 
			 Northumberland 0.165 0.165 0.165 
			 Nottinghamshire 0.304 0.305 0.306 
			 Oxfordshire 0.222 0.223 0.223 
			 Shropshire 0.15 0.15 0.151 
			 Somerset 0.226 0.227 0.228 
			 Staffordshire 0.301 0.302 0.303 
			 Suffolk 0.28 0.281 0.283 
			 Surrey 0.333 0.333 0.333 
			 Warwickshire 0.212 0.213 0.214 
			 West Sussex 0.281 0.281 0.282 
			 Wiltshire 0.181 0.182 0.183 
			 Worcestershire 0.222 0.223 0.223 
			 Sub-total 9.194 9.224 9.252 
			 
			  Shire unitary authorities
			 Bath and North East Somerset 0.109 0.109 0.109 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 0.123 0.123 0.123 
			 Blackpool 0.126 0.126 0.126 
			 Bournemouth 0.119 0.118 0.118 
			 Bracknell Forest 0.086 0.086 0.086 
			 Brighton and Hove 0.148 0.147 0.147 
			 Bristol 0.21 0.209 0.208 
			 Darlington 0.096 0.096 0.096 
			 Derby 0.15 0.149 0.149 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 0.158 0.159 0.159 
			 Halton 0.111 0.11 0.11 
			 Hartlepool 0.099 0.099 0.099 
			 Herefordshire 0.119 0.119 0.119 
			 Isle of Wight Council 0.115 0.115 0.116 
			 Isles of Scilly 0.061 0.061 0.061 
			 Kingston upon Hull 0.173 0.172 0.171 
			 Leicester 0.186 0.185 0.184 
			 Luton 0.131 0.131 0.131 
			 Medway 0.136 0.136 0.136 
			 Middlesbrough 0.122 0.121 0.121 
			 Milton Keynes 0.129 0.13 0.131 
			 North East Lincolnshire 0.12 0.12 0.12 
			 North Lincolnshire 0.114 0.114 0.114 
			 North Somerset 0.121 0.122 0.123 
			 Nottingham 0.184 0.183 0.182 
			 Peterborough 0.122 0.122 0.123 
			 Plymouth 0.151 0.151 0.151 
			 Poole 0.103 0.102 0.102 
			 Portsmouth 0.125 0.125 0.125 
			 Reading 0.104 0.104 0.103 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 0.116 0.116 0.116 
			 Rutland 0.069 0.069 0.069 
			 Slough 0.104 0.103 0.103 
			 South Gloucestershire 0.124 0.124 0.125 
			 Southampton 0.141 0.141 0.141 
			 Southend-on-Sea 0.123 0.123 0.123 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 0.126 0.126 0.126 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 0.163 0.162 0.161 
			 Swindon 0.112 0.112 0.112 
			 Telford and The Wrekin 0.119 0.12 0.12 
			 Thurrock 0.111 0.112 0.112 
			 Torbay 0.119 0.12 0.12 
			 Warrington 0.117 0.117 0.117 
			 West Berkshire 0.095 0.095 0.095 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 0.093 0.093 0.093 
			 Wokingham 0.087 0.088 0.088 
			 York 0.108 0.108 0.108 
			 Sub-total 5.778 5.774 5.771

NHS: Public Consultation

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of  (a) local involvement networks and  (b) the hosts contracted to set up and run those networks.

Ann Keen: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman) on 11 June 2009,  Official Report, column 964W.
	Local authorities hold the contracts with host organisations and are responsible for the management of those contracts.

NHS: Public Consultation

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all host organisations contracted to set up and run local involvement networks have taken out indemnity cover for members of those networks; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Nurses: Training

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether continence education and training is included in the national curriculum for pre- and post-registration training for nurses.

Ann Keen: The responsibility for setting standards required for professional registration sits with the professional regulators, and the training curricula is designed to meet these standards by the higher education institutes in partnership with national health service providers and the regulators. The Department, along with local NHS bodies that commission professional training, continues to work with the regulators and higher education institutes to ensure that their standards and curricula reflect the changing needs of patients and service delivery.

Organs: Research

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the merits of including in its National Organ Recovery scheme provisions for making organs which are not suitable for transplant available for research purposes.

Ann Keen: The Human Tissue Act 2004 allows organs donated for transplant but not used for transplant to be used for research where appropriate consent is in place. It is routine practice when seeking consent to donation for transplantation for donor transplant coordinators to also seek consent for research should the organs not be suitable for transplant.

Pain: Health Services

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS specialist pain management services there were in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally.

Palliative Care

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the preparation of the interim reports on the implementation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Supportive and Palliative Care Guidance.

Ann Keen: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published guidance on supportive and palliative care for adults with cancer in March 2004. The National Cancer Action Team is working closely with cancer networks to monitor and support the implementation of this guidance by the end of December 2009. Plans for the implementation of this guidance are now in place in every cancer network, and it is expected to be fully implemented by the December 2009 deadline.

Patients: Travel

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in each primary care trust area have accessed funding through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme in each of the last five years.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not collect information on the number of patients who have accessed funding through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. Our policy is to empower the local national health service to manage services in a way which best meets the needs of their local population. The Department's role is to set national strategic direction, as it has done by providing guidance on eligibility and administration of the scheme.

Patients: Travel

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes to monitor the effectiveness of the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not routinely monitor the operation of the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. An evaluation will begin in autumn 2009, to assess the impact of revisions made in April 2008 which extended the scope of the scheme to include patients travelling to treatment following direct referral by a doctor or dentist, as well as those people under the care of a hospital consultant.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 1121-22W, on prescriptions: fees and charges, which organisations responded to the written consultation; which stakeholders contributed to the oral evidence sessions; which GPs attended the workshops; and at what locations the workshops were held.

Mike O'Brien: A list of respondents to oral and written evidence is provided in the following list. For confidentiality reasons the names of individuals submitting evidence is withheld and we have included instead the organisations that they work for. For written submissions, in most cases but not all, the responses were on behalf of the listed organisation rather than the individual. We are unable to provide details of the general practitioners who participated in the workshops, because they did so on an anonymised basis. Workshops were held in London, Newton Abbot, Northampton, Manchester, Newcastle and Croydon.
	The following organisations or individuals provided written evidence:
	Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
	Addison's Disease Self Help Group
	All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia
	The Association of Cancer Physicians
	Asthma UK
	British Heart Foundation
	British Medical Association
	British Society for Rheumatology
	British Thoracic Society
	Coeliac UK
	Cystic Fibrosis Trust
	Diabetes UK
	East Birmingham and Solihull GP Vocational training scheme-West Midlands Deanery
	Epilepsy Action
	Gorlin Syndrome Group
	HEART UK
	Highcliffe Medical Centre Patient Participation Group
	Jubilee Medical Centre
	MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital
	MIND
	Motor Neurone Disease
	Parkinson's Disease Society
	Prescriptions Coalition
	Royal College of General Practitioners
	Royal College of Ophthalmologists
	Royal College of Physicians, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Joint Specialty Committee
	Royal College of Physicians, Ethical Issues in Medicine Committee
	Royal College of Physicians GP Network
	Royal College of Physicians, Palliative Medicine Joint Specialty Committee
	Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
	Sickle Cell Society
	Socialist Health Association
	Society for Endocrinology
	South Bank University
	Spinal Injuries Association
	Submissions from individuals (three)
	UK Thalassaemia Society.
	Oral evidence was given by the following organisations:
	Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances
	British Medical Association
	Citizen's Advice Bureaux
	Dispensing Doctors' Association
	Kings Fund
	MIND
	National Pharmacy Association
	National Association of Primary Care
	National Voices
	Patients' Association
	Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee
	Prescriptions Pricing Division of the NHS Business Services Authority
	Prescriptions Coalition of charities (including Asthma UK; Diabetes UK; Behcet's Syndrome Society; Parkinson's Disease Society)
	Royal College of General Practitioners
	Royal College of Nursing
	Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
	A Strategic Health Authority prescribing adviser
	University of Manchester.

Pressure Sores: Compensation

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases were dealt with by the NHS Litigation Authority in 2008-09 in which pressure ulcers were the ground for the claim; how many of them were settled in the claimant's favour; what the administrative cost was of dealing with such cases; and how much was paid in settlements and compensation in such cases.

Ann Keen: The data requested was provided by the NHS Litigation Authority in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims closed 2008-09 where pressure sore was one of the injury codes 
			   Closed-nil damages  Settled-damages paid  Total 
			 Number of claims 15 49 64 
			 Damages paid (£) 0 1,197,324 1,197,324 
			 Defence costs paid (£) 10,918 296,134 307,052 
			 Claimant costs paid (£) 0 896,561 896,561 
			 Total paid (£) 10,918 2,390,020 2,400,938 
		
	
	Damages also cover other injuries that formed part of the claim.
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims closed in 2008-09  where damages were paid 
			   Number/£ million 
			 Number of claims closed with damages 3,113 
			 Damages paid (£ million) 312.4 
			 Defence costs paid (£ million) 103.6 
			 Claimant costs paid (£ million) 39.6 
			 Total paid (£ million) 455.6

Preventive Technology Grant

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to extend the provisions of the Preventative Technology Grant to apply in respect of the 2008-09 financial year.

Phil Hope: The Preventative Technology Grant funding ended in March 2008, although any remaining monies were allowed to be carried over into 2008-09 to sustain the momentum. It is now the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that they are able to provide mainstreamed telecare services.

Primary Care Trusts: Dorset

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes to the funding allocations to primary care trusts in Dorset there have been in financial year 2009-10; and what such changes he anticipates in financial year 2010-11.

Mike O'Brien: The Department announced the primary care trust (PCT) revenue allocations for 2009-10 and 2010-11 on 8 December 2008. The allocations represent an investment of £164 billion in the national health service: £80 billion in 2009-10 and £84 billion in 2010-11.
	The revenue allocations made to the two PCTs serving communities in the Dorset area are provided in the following table:
	
		
			   2009-10 allocation  2009-10 increase  2010-11 allocation  2010-11 increase 
			   £000  £000  Percentage  £000  £000  Percentage 
			 Dorset PCT 580,964 30,287 5.5 613,261 32,296 5.6 
			 Bournemouth and Poole PCT 509,400 29,100 5.5 535,600 26,200 5.1 
			  Source: Department of Health Resource Allocation, Efficiency and Income Generation.

Primary Care Trusts: Greater Manchester

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts in the Greater Manchester area have a financial deficit against their budget for 2009-10; and how much the deficit is in each such case.

Ann Keen: There are no primary care trusts within the Greater Manchester area that are forecasting a deficit in the 2009-10 financial year.

Primary Care Trusts: Wakefield

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what revenue allocations were made to each primary care trust in Wakefield in each year since 2003-04.

Ann Keen: The revenue allocations made to primary care trusts (PCTs) in Wakefield for the period 2003-04 to 2010-11 are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: 2003-04 to 2005-06 primary care trust revenue allocations 
			   Allocation (£000)  Three-year increase 
			  Primary care trust  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  £000  Percentage 
			 Eastern Wakefield PCT 171,930 189,117 208,492 51,104 32.5 
			 Wakefield West PCT 131,156 143,375 156,303 35,519 29.4 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: 2006-07 to 2007-08 primary care trust revenue allocations 
			   Allocation (£000)  Two-year increase 
			  Primary care trust  2006-07  2007-08  £000  Percentage 
			 Eastern Wakefield PCT 255,393 283,337 53,962 23.5 
			 Wakefield West PCT 189,155 205,849 32,182 18.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: 2008-09 primary care trust revenue allocations 
			   Allocation  Cash increase 
			  Primary care trust  £000  £000  Percentage 
			 Wakefield District PCT 515,905 26,719 5.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: 2009-10 to 2010-11 primary care trust revenue allocations 
			   Allocation (£000)  Two-year increase 
			  Primary care trust  2009-10  2010-11  £000  Percentage 
			 Wakefield District PCT 564,093 595,118 66,463 12.6 
			  Notes: 1. On 1 October 2006, the number of PCTs reduced from 303 to 152. The Eastern Wakefield PCT and the Wakefield West PCT merged to become the Wakefield District PCT. Allocations were made to the Wakefield District PCT from 2008-09. 2. Comparisons between allocations should be made with caution because of changes to PCT baseline funding between rounds.

Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations his Department has received on the future of Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup.

Mike O'Brien: In relation to the future of Queen Mary's hospital Sidcup between 1 September 2008 and 29 June 2009, the Department's correspondence and parliamentary questions database shows approximately 400 letters, of which, approximately 150 are about the future of services. There were 22 parliamentary questions found but there were no ministerial meetings or debates.

Sexual Offences: Health Professionals

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department has allocated for specialist support and remedial treatment services for patients who have been sexually abused by health workers for the period 2007-2012.

Ann Keen: No specific allocation is made for this purpose.

Smoking

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of 
	(1)  deaths which were attributable to smoking in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  adults who were smokers in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The prevalence of smoking and the numbers of deaths from smoking have both significantly reduced over the past 10 years (from the latest data available). In England there are around 2.5 million fewer smokers since 1998 and the number of deaths from smoking has been reduced to around 82,000 per year.
	The information requested is available at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/GHS07/GHSSmokingandDrinkingAmongAdults2007.pdf

Social Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have received care packages following an assessment by social services in each local authority in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre has provided data on all adults aged 18 and over who received social care services as a result of a community care assessment by councils with adult social services responsibilities in each of the last five years. The information has been placed in the Library.

Social Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of  (a) continuing care assessments and  (b) core assessments by social services in each local authority was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The costs of continuing care assessments are not collected centrally.
	The following table shows the total gross current expenditure by each local authority in England on assessment and care management for adults aged 18 and over.
	This is information is derived from data collected annually on social services expenditure from councils with social services responsibilities.
	Data on local authority expenditure on state funded adult social care are collected and published by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care.
	
		
			  Gross current expenditure on assessment and care management by local authority, 2003-04 to 2007-08, England 
			  £000 
			2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08( 1) 
			   England total 1,433,031 1,633,962 1,746,677 1,806,207 1,791,712 
			
			   Metropolitan districts  
			 204 Barnsley 6,033 6,449 7,553 9,088 7,653 
			 406 Birmingham 17,654 31,740 31,644 38,924 34,977 
			 304 Bolton 5,597 6,095 7,535 8,217 8,903 
			 209 Bradford 11,486 13,085 13,499 12,879 13,365 
			 305 Bury 6,338 6,702 6,886 6,852 6,367 
			 210 Calderdale 4,053 4,379 4,670 4,955 4,943 
			 407 Coventry 7,729 8,554 10,571 10,005 8,382 
			 205 Doncaster 7,612 10,878 8,278 10,191 8,764 
			 408 Dudley 10,349 10,690 11,808 12,340 12,707 
			 106 Gateshead 5,101 5,482 5,624 5,098 2,115 
			 211 Kirklees 13,949 15,431 15,936 17,403 18,854 
			 315 Knowsley 4,155 4,182 4,290 3,691 3,747 
			 212 Leeds 15,456 15,321 16,416 19,978 20,659 
			 316 Liverpool 8,167 9,615 8,874 9,700 10,468 
			 306 Manchester 34,423 37,925 40,701 27,989 28,900 
			 107 Newcastle upon Tyne 6,123 6,597 8,453 8,341 8,666 
			 108 North Tyneside 6,405 4,461 8,263 9,278 8,319 
			 307 Oldham 5,185 5,480 6,547 6,285 8,458 
			 308 Rochdale 5,607 5,799 6,920 8,226 6,956 
			 206 Rotherham 7,748 9,237 9,991 10,493 9,336 
			 309 Salford 5,449 6,640 5,748 6,247 6,482 
			 409 Sandwell 10,698 10,194 12,715 13,636 13,816 
			 317 Sefton 6,241 6,934 7,625 7,679 7,656 
			 207 Sheffield 12,151 12,926 14,800 15,872 15,660 
			 410 Solihull 3,442 3,997 4,511 4,102 4,357 
			 109 South Tyneside 2,489 7,308 6,965 6,223 5,962 
			 318 St. Helens 3,752 3,590 4,904 4,762 4,772 
			 310 Stockport 8,290 9,117 9,564 14,129 13,885 
			 110 Sunderland 9,500 12,063 11,128 8,202 10,003 
			 311 Tameside 7,748 9,072 9,991 11,271 11,449 
			 312 Trafford 4,487 4,979 7,117 6,569 7,168 
			 213 Wakefield 7,592 11,773 11,174 10,544 10,683 
			 411 Walsall 6,565 11,641 13,745 11,805 12,010 
			 313 Wigan 7,446 6,596 6,851 8,384 7,997 
			 319 Wirral 8,638 8,962 9,791 7,485 5,658 
			 412 Wolverhampton 8,157 9,819 10,076 9,974 10,776 
			
			   Shire counties  
			 610 Bedfordshire 10,513 9,124 9,484 15,321 14,946 
			 612 Buckinghamshire 15,123 14,922 15,816 16,365 14,401 
			 623 Cambridgeshire 8,565 20,516 24,427 20,737 22,266 
			 320 Cheshire 13,403 15,264 16,823 20,504 21,375 
			 902 Cornwall 15,667 21,229 16,871 21,887 15,133 
			 102 Cumbria 9,959 13,014 23,494 24,814 23,250 
			 506 Derbyshire 5,531 11,291 11,979 12,392 13,541 
			 912 Devon 15,885 20,115 19,831 20,207 22,927 
			 809 Dorset 9,683 10,416 11,123 12,911 12,320 
			 116 Durham 11,716 14,075 14,374 14,510 19,434 
			 815 East Sussex 15,771 16,957 17,613 19,493 20,377 
			 620 Essex 33,541 38,201 35,503 32,898 29,670 
			 904 Gloucestershire 13,798 14,679 13,624 15,054 16,385 
			 812 Hampshire 20,893 28,906 30,136 30,744 33,477 
			 606 Hertfordshire 24,412 25,472 25,845 27,275 23,717 
			 906 Isles of Scilly 86 25 30 48 92 
			 820 Kent 34,135 30,217 34,661 37,001 43,816 
			 323 Lancashire 25,062 28,558 31,626 31,630 31,653 
			 508 Leicestershire 9,978 10,522 12,339 12,701 13,659 
			 503 Lincolnshire 15,104 15,945 11,559 15,386 13,608 
			 607 Norfolk 14,706 15,308 28,800 1,913 - 833 
			 218 North Yorkshire 10,276 11,573 13,167 15,314 15,962 
			 504 Northamptonshire 9,917 9,655 9,200 8,986 9,185 
			 104 Northumberland 10,660 11,794 13,805 14,086 13,092 
			 511 Nottinghamshire 26,875 28,569 30,578 32,847 30,605 
			 608 Oxfordshire 19,414 21,850 23,250 29,656 29,165 
			 417 Shropshire 9,032 8,967 7,732 9,874 11,955 
			 905 Somerset 18,130 18,592 21,709 18,755 21,448 
			 413 Staffordshire 17,797 25,109 37,063 29,079 29,694 
			 609 Suffolk 12,957 14,908 16,282 17,079 21,059 
			 805 Surrey 33,954 35,957 38,478 45,269 45,674 
			 404 Warwickshire 14,109 14,020 12,628 14,017 13,662 
			 807 West Sussex 27,162 28,780 27,772 29,777 26,104 
			 817 Wiltshire 17,632 17,206 16,988 18,298 20,097 
			 416 Worcestershire 10,579 11,076 12,609 13,760 13,787 
			
			   Unitary authorities  
			 908 Bath and North East Somerset 4,696 6,188 5,138 8,055 8,636 
			 324 Blackburn with Darwen 3,582 3,339 4,108 5,117 4,275 
			 325 Blackpool 3,509 3,908 4,318 4,561 4,391 
			 810 Bournemouth 8,319 9,708 10,358 10,376 10,505 
			 614 Bracknell Forest 2,503 3,113 2,868 3,428 4,388 
			 816 Brighton and Hove 12,751 13,654 10,214 12,180 11,327 
			 909 Bristol 10,246 11,089 11,170 12,900 11,100 
			 117 Darlington 3,997 5,263 6,439 5,281 5,958 
			 507 Derby 7,060 7,832 8,749 9,246 9,066 
			 214 East Riding of Yorkshire 4,393 4,828 4,412 4,360 5,513 
			 321 Halton 3,539 3,571 4,803 6,580 7,051 
			 111 Hartlepool 3,384 3,908 4,354 4,649 5,277 
			 415 Herefordshire 3,009 4,088 4,525 4,529 4,780 
			 803 Isle of Wight 3,483 5,391 5,554 5,470 6,005 
			 215 Kingston upon Hull 5,743 5,903 6,070 5,467 4,229 
			 509 Leicester 8,405 10,768 9,838 9,790 10,805 
			 611 Luton 6,388 7,321 8,023 8,496 7,933 
			 821 Medway Towns 5,285 5,756 4,947 9,462 6,032 
			 112 Middlesbrough 4,147 4,038 4,592 5,200 5,457 
			 613 Milton Keynes 9,029 13,947 10,074 14,006 12,362 
			 216 North East Lincolnshire 2,963 3,167 4,161 4,709 5,279 
			 217 North Lincolnshire 3,564 3,712 4,012 4,670 4,346 
			 910 North Somerset 3,134 3,746 4,120 4,335 4,378 
			 512 Nottingham 10,408 10,104 9,922 9,750 11,406 
			 624 Peterborough 6,994 7,646 6,940 7,422 7,403 
			 913 Plymouth 7,463 7,886 8,497 9,718 10,663 
			 811 Poole 3,115 3,757 4,267 4,372 4,363 
			 813 Portsmouth 6,409 8,059 8,421 8,466 10,327 
			 616 Reading 4,476 5,430 5,758 5,997 5,807 
			 113 Redcar and Cleveland 2,076 2,998 2,420 2,883 2,943 
			 510 Rutland 724 824 1,366 1,694 2,339 
			 617 Slough 9,424 7,238 7,921 9,078 8,590 
			 911 South Gloucestershire 4,315 5,437 6,742 6,214 6,443 
			 814 Southampton 6,885 7,387 7,888 8,776 9,911 
			 621 Southend-on-Sea 4,413 4,663 4,989 4,191 4,821 
			 114 Stockton-on-Tees 3,698 3,916 4,550 4,770 5,101 
			 414 Stoke-on-Trent 5,172 4,872 5,399 5,137 5,902 
			 819 Swindon 4,668 4,917 6,042 6,582 5,526 
			 418 Telford and the Wrekin 4,101 5,220 6,096 6,713 6,649 
			 622 Thurrock 4,896 5,261 283 5,115 4,397 
			 914 Torbay 4,612 6,696 7,804 6,951 7,599 
			 322 Warrington 5,876 6,227 7,543 9,419 9,209 
			 615 West Berkshire 5,089 5,700 5,653 6,073 6,120 
			 618 Windsor and Maidenhead 3,612 3,537 4,275 4,656 5,606 
			 619 Wokingham 3,411 3,759 4,509 6,015 5,507 
			 219 York 2,920 3,497 4,246 4,604 5,324 
			
			   Inner London  
			 702 Camden 14,289 16,610 18,780 19,989 18,877 
			 714 City of London 1,129 1,399 1,448 1,659 1,072 
			 703 Greenwich 8,845 9,390 11,350 10,087 10,750 
			 704 Hackney 14,782 10,306 10,834 11,772 11,058 
			 705 Hammersmith and Fulham 7,271 7,953 10,590 10,311 8,329 
			 706 Islington 9,619 11,540 15,241 14,373 13,426 
			 707 Kensington and Chelsea 11,447 11,590 12,152 11,126 9,818 
			 708 Lambeth 16,273 18,235 23,606 13,743 15,011 
			 709 Lewisham 9,081 11,988 10,355 12,524 13,047 
			 710 Southwark 8,927 12,401 15,565 16,908 15,173 
			 711 Tower Hamlets 13,821 15,503 19,702 19,765 18,545 
			 712 Wandsworth 12,691 14,193 14,889 16,463 9,967 
			 713 Westminster 15,238 17,840 17,391 14,383 14,966 
			
			   Outer London  
			 716 Barking and Dagenham 8,389 9,426 9,419 8,586 8,203 
			 717 Barnet 9,821 14,090 13,656 11,818 10,525 
			 718 Bexley 7,885 6,653 6,998 6,990 6,529 
			 719 Brent 14,580 15,965 14,817 16,243 17,605 
			 720 Bromley 9,975 11,256 11,270 12,889 10,181 
			 721 Croydon 15,547 15,092 15,849 23,962 21,755 
			 722 Ealing 13,105 13,432 11,508 8,102 17,484 
			 723 Enfield 8,086 9,213 10,286 8,530 9,346 
			 724 Haringey 12,324 11,477 10,841 16,324 12,199 
			 725 Harrow 6,652 9,861 12,001 10,503 9,780 
			 726 Havering 5,115 9,359 7,777 9,214 10,306 
			 727 Hillingdon 11,411 14,380 15,778 15,217 11,673 
			 728 Hounslow 8,012 9,955 10,449 12,349 10,623 
			 729 Kingston upon Thames 6,591 8,547 8,969 9,220 8,585 
			 730 Merton 7,794 7,996 7,916 8,564 10,403 
			 731 Newham 10,843 16,481 16,204 19,806 18,972 
			 732 Redbridge 6,870 8,193 8,621 8,895 8,734 
			 733 Richmond upon Thames 9,115 10,161 10,834 11,126 9,070 
			 734 Sutton 4,818 5,598 5,977 6,682 7,284 
			 735 Waltham Forest 10,958 12,088 12,841 13,218 13,792 
			 (1) 2003-04 to 2006-07 figures include assessment and care management for all asylum seekers including children and families. In 2007-08 this information was collected separately and only adults' expenditure has been included.

Stepping Hill Hospital: Parking

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) revenue income and  (b) estimated overhead cost of the parking charges scheme at Stepping Hill Hospital has been in each year since the introduction of such charges.

Ann Keen: Hospital car parking charges are decided locally by individual trusts to help cover the cost of running and maintaining a car park. All trusts should have exemption and concessionary schemes in place to ensure that patients and carers who visit hospital regularly are not disadvantaged. They should also have sustainable public transport plans in place for staff and visitors.
	Data on the gross income that national health service trusts receive from car parking charges paid by staff and visitors have been collected since 2000. These data are provided by the NHS on a voluntary basis and have not been amended following their collection, nor have they been actively checked by the Department and therefore cannot be confirmed to be accurate or complete.
	According to data collected through the Estates Related Information Collection (ERIC) system, Stepping Hill hospital(1), Stockport NHS foundation trust, have received the following income:
	(1) The site data also list a hospital with the same name at the Pennine Care NHS trust, but this does not have any car parking income and is therefore not the one under consideration.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Income from staff  Income from visitors  Total income 
			 2001-02 98,693 197,261 295,954 
			 2002-03 88,939 192,509 281,448 
			 2003-04 80,929 164,338 245,267 
			 2004-05 144,983 301,849 446,832 
			 2005-06 218,899 489,518 708,417 
			 2006-07 223,533 467,105 690,638 
			 2007-08 238,408 499,185 737,593 
			  Note:  Prior to 2001-02, car parking data were collected at trust level only and therefore Stepping Hill hospital's specific income could not be identified.   Source:  Estates Related Information Collection System, Department of Health.

Surgery: Greater Manchester

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were performed at the Greater Manchester Surgical Centre in  (a) the 12 month period from 18 May 2005 and  (b) each subsequent 12 month period starting 18 May.

Mike O'Brien: The Department does not hold information about the number of operations performed at the Greater Manchester Surgical Centre but does hold data for finished consultant episodes.
	The following table shows finished consultant episodes performed at the Greater Manchester Surgical Centre where there was a procedure or intervention. There is no clear definition of the term 'operation' used in hospital episode statistics (HES). HES have provided data for financial years (1 April to 31 March) 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 (the most recent year for which data is available).
	
		
			  Finished consultant episodes 
			   Number 
			 2007-08 4,770 
			 2006-07 5,574 
			 2005-06 3,649

Swine Flu

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will direct each  (a) primary care trust and  (b) hospital trust to publish its contingency plan to deal with swine flu.

Gillian Merron: Primary care trusts (PCTs) and national health service trusts flu pandemic plans are already in action and are working well. It would not be the best use of NHS resources at this time to direct PCTs and NHS trusts to publish these plans. In addition, these plans are being continuously reviewed and, where necessary, updated informed by the latest expert scientific and medical advice of the current swine flu pandemic. Publication of contingency plans by PCTs and hospital trusts will, therefore, not be requested.
	Local NHS communications efforts are now directed to providing local staff and communities with the latest information about the current pandemic, how it is developing and what they can do to prepare and manage it. The Department has written to all NHS chief executives to make clear that this is core responsibility of all organisations.

Teenage Pregnancy: Hampshire

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pregnancies in girls under 16 years old were recorded in  (a) Test Valley Borough and  (b) Southampton in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many pregnancies of girls under 16 years old were recorded in (a) Test Valley Borough and (b) Southampton in each of the last five years. (287768)
	Figures on conceptions are estimates based on the number of live births, stillbirths or legal abortions. They do not include miscarriages and illegal abortions.
	The table below provides the number of conceptions among girls under 16, for (a) Test Valley local authority district and (b) Southampton unitary authority for 2003 to 2007 (the most recent year for which figures are available).
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of conceptions among girls aged under 16( l) , for (a) Test Valley local authority district and (b) Southampton unitary authority 2003 to 2007 
			  Numbers 
			  Conceptions  2003  2004  2005  2006  200 7( 2) 
			 Test Valley LAD 7 11 19 10 17 
			 Southampton UA 39 36 35 43 37 
			 (1) Under 16 years at estimated date of conception. (2) Figures for 2007 are provisional.

Tranquillisers

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which  (a) policy advisers,  (b) special advisers,  (c) other individuals and  (d) other groups have provided advice to his Department on the subject of tranquillisers in the last two years; and what expertise each has to advise on that subject.

Gillian Merron: The Department is not aware of any advice given by policy advisers, special advisers, other individuals or advisory groups specifically in relation to tranquilisers. The Commission on Human Medicines, the UK Health Ministers' independent safety experts and advisers, provides scientific advice on all medicines for human use before a product is given a marketing authorisation or if any post marketing safety issue arise.
	Over the coming months the Department will be reviewing its policy on addiction to prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) drugs, including tranquilisers. This review will identify where and how policy should be advanced, so that those addicted to prescription or OTC drugs receive high quality, effective services.

Wakefield NHS Trust: Expenditure

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the capital expenditure of Wakefield NHS Trust was in each year since 1996-97.

Ann Keen: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The following table shows data for 2001-02 for the Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals NHS Trust and for 2002-03 to 2007-08 for the Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which are the only years for which information is available for these organisations.
	
		
			  Charge against the capital resource limit (CRL) 
			   £000 
			 2007-08 10,647 
			 2006-07 20,876 
			 2005-06 12,936 
			 2004-05 15,222 
			 2003-04 12,300 
			 2002-03 10,031 
			 2001-02 10,687 
			  Notes: 1. The data provided in 2001-02 is for the Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals NHS Trust which merged with the Dewsbury Health Care NHS Trust in 2002-03 to form the Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. 2. The term 'capital expenditure' has been interpreted to mean the charge against the CRL for the year. This charge is calculated as follows: a. Gross capital expenditure in accruals terms for the period b. Less the net book value of assets disposed of c. Plus any loss on disposal of donated assets d. Less capital grants received e. Less donations  Source: NHS audited summarisation schedules.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Emissions: Business

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assistance his Department provides to small and medium-sized businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Joan Ruddock: KBCC provides funding for the provision of support, advice and information on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to small and medium-sized businesses, in particular through the Carbon Trust. Advice and information is provided through a dedicated phone line and website. Financial support is provided through interest-free loans to small and medium-sized businesses for energy saving investments. Up to £83.9 million of additional funding for this scheme is being provided for firms in England over the next two years.
	The Carbon Trust also administers the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme for energy-saving technologies, which provides businesses that invest in designated energy efficient equipment with enhanced tax relief. DECC has also established voluntary agreements with the major energy suppliers to promote energy efficiency and energy services to small and medium-sized businesses.

Carbon Emissions: Housing

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many grants have been made through the Low Carbon Buildings programme to  (a) schools,  (b) hospitals and  (c) other public buildings in (i) West Chelmsford constituency, (ii) Essex and (iii) England in each year since the inception of the programme.

David Kidney: The following number of grants have been made through the Low Carbon Buildings programme to  (a) schools,  (b) hospitals and  (c) other public buildings in (i) West Chelmsford constituency, (ii) Essex and (iii) England in each year since the inception of the programme.
	
		
			  Low carbon buildings programme Phase  1 -grants awarded 
			   England  Essex  West Chelmsford 
			  Communities stream
			  2006-07
			 Schools 14 0 0 
			 Other public buildings 6 1 0 
			 
			  2007-08
			 Schools 1 0 0 
			 Other public buildings 5 0 0 
			 
			  Stream 2A (below £100,00)
			  2006-07
			 Schools 4 0 0 
			 Hospitals 0 0 0 
			 Other public buildings 1 0 0 
			 
			  2007-08
			 Schools 10 1 0 
			 Hospitals 0 0 0 
			 Other public buildings 14 1 0 
			 
			  Stream 2B (above £100,000)
			  2006-07
			 Schools 1 0 0 
			 Hospitals 0 0 0 
			 Other public buildings 0 0 0 
			 
			  2007-08
			 Schools 1 0 0 
			 Hospitals 0 0 0 
			 Other public buildings 5 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Low carbon buildings programme Phase 2-grants awarded 
			  Type of organisation  Financial year  England  Essex  West Chelmsford 
			 Schools 2006-07 1 0 0 
			  2007-08 162 2 0 
			  2008-09 333 4 0 
			  2009-10 85 1 0 
			  
			 Hospitals 2006-07 0 Q 0 
			  2007-08 0 0 0 
			  2008-09 2 0 0 
			  2009-10 1 0 0 
			  
			 Other public buildings 2006-07 0 1 0 
			  2007-08 95 2 1 
			  2008-09 144 2 0 
			  2009-10 57 1 0 
			  
			 Total (Phase 2) - 879 13 1

Departmental Advertising

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's advertising budget is for 2009-10.

Joan Ruddock: Between April 2009 and July 2009, DECC is expected to spend approximately £370,000 on Act on CO2 campaign advertising media and production. We are considering our advertising plans for the rest of 2009-10.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many  (a) attempts and  (b) successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each (i) database and (ii) ICT system run by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: It is not in the interests of the UK's national security for Departments to confirm information on the number of attempts, successful or otherwise, to gain unauthorised access to departmental systems or databases. Such disclosure could undermine the integrity and security of departmental systems and thereby expose them to potential threats.
	DECC complies with the mandatory requirements of the Security Policy Framework in relation to information security including managing the risk of unauthorised access to ICT systems.

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which databases managed by his Department and its agencies hold personal information on members of the public; on what date each such database become operational; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The Department and its agencies hold a large number of databases ranging in size. These range from corporate databases to small local databases with just a few users held by units within the Department and its agencies, in addition to a large number of spreadsheets containing data, of which, the larger and more sophisticated could be described as fulfilling a database function. Some of these databases and systems can be expected to hold information on members of the public gathered in support of a wide range of departmental initiatives and activities. It is not possible due to disproportionate costs to identify which of the many databases contain personal data on members of the public and the date each one became operational.
	All databases containing personal data maintained by DECC are managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act and following the publication of the cross government data handling review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.

Departmental Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when his Department plans to update its web browsers from Internet Explorer 6.

Joan Ruddock: The Department is currently reviewing its options for the technology refresh of software such as Internet Explorer 6, as part of a PFI Agreement for the provision of IT Services.

Energy Saving Trust: Finance

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what the Energy Saving Trust's budget is for  (a) advertising,  (b) consultancy fees and  (c) administration in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13;
	(2)  what expenditure the Energy Saving Trust incurred on  (a) advertising,  (b) consultancy fees and  (c) administration in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09.

Joan Ruddock: The Energy Saving Trust is a not-for-profit private company limited by guarantee. As part of the terms and conditions of the grant funding DECC provides to the Energy Saving Trust, the trust is required to provide DECC with audited annual accounts within five months of the end of the financial year.
	The Energy Saving Trust statutory accounts for the financial years ending 2008 and 2009 are deposited with Companies House and are in the public domain.

Environmental Transformation Fund: Finance

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  how much in public funding for the Environmental Transformation Fund  (a) was provided in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 and  (b) is planned to be provided in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13;
	(2)  what proportion of expenditure under the Environmental Transformation Fund was spent on UK-based projects in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09;
	(3)  what proportion of expenditure under the Environmental Transformation Fund he expects to be spent on UK-based projects in  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11,  (c) 2011-12 and  (d) 2012-13.

Joan Ruddock: The Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF) began operation in April 2008-therefore there was no ETF expenditure in the financial year 2007-08. The ETF budgets are for the current CSR period, so no budgets have yet been agreed for financial year 2011-12 or beyond.
	The ETF has international and national components, which are managed separately. The International ETF is jointly controlled by my Department and by the Department for International Development; its total budget for the CSR period was £800 million with £100 million available in financial year 2008-09, £200 million in financial year 2009-10 and £500 million in financial year 2010-11. None of the international component is spent in the UK, whereas the national component is spent exclusively in the UK.
	The National ETF total budget for the CSR period was £400 million with up to £133 million available in financial year 2008-09, up to £118 million in financial year 2009-10 and up to £149 million in financial year 2010-11. In its first year of operation National ETF spent £91m(1) on UK-based projects.
	(1) Figure is provisional and subject to finalisation of accounts for the year. It also includes up to £7 million which has been, or will be, handed back by recipients of Offshore Wind Grants who would prefer to claim Renewables Obligation Certificates instead, now that the regime has changed. In addition, the figure includes £24,000 which has been received back from a hydrogen and fuel cell company that went into receivership.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to which 100 firms of solicitors his Department and its predecessors has paid the most in costs in respect of the coal health compensation scheme.

David Kidney: The top 100 claimants' representatives who the Department has paid the most in fees broken down by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), vibration white finger (VWF) and miscellaneous claims is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 
			  Claimants' representatives  COPD costs  VWF costs  Misc. claims costs( 1)  Total costs 
			 Thompsons Solicitors 121,758,445 31,518,213 3,084,589 156,361,247 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 133,359,135 7,924,924 3,054,869 144,338,929 
			 Hugh James 102,057,162 12,326,792 964,859 115,348,813 
			 Raleys Solicitors 80,412,876 14,907,685 1,607,660 96,928,221 
			 Browell Smith and Co. 56,340,495 14,385,298 1,980,467 72,706,260 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 58,622,804 45,800 0 58,668,604 
			 Avalon Solicitors 40,794,782 117,574 419,161 41,331,518 
			 Graysons Solicitors 25,536,505 12,455,640 2,794,482 40,786,626 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 23,241,215 10,611,889 6,373,980 40,227,084 
			 Watson Burton LLP 26,656,881 8,652,776 1,436,195 36,745,853 
			 Barber and Co. 24,176,610 0 0 24,176,610 
			 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 18,374,906 1,408,675 109,690 19,893,271 
			 Moss Solicitors 12,669,621 5,656,411 1,457,882 19,783,914 
			 Towells Solicitors 12,721,460 6,043,282 689,742 19,454,485 
			 TLW Solicitors 16,049,983 1,010,621 293,075 17,353,679 
			 Ashton Morton Slack LLP 13,496,315 2,938,629 621,810 17,056,753 
			 Irwin Mitchell Solicitors 11,968,470 3,668,584 878,263 16,515,317 
			 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 10,200,466 3,793,094 520,617 14,514,177 
			 Ingrams Solicitors 13,944,643 206,197 60,567 14,211,408 
			 Corries Solicitors 11,067,799 2,401,321 434,963 13,904,083 
			 Delta Legal 13,161,798 0 2,250 13,164,048 
			 Atteys 7,853,621 4,705,066 102,189 12,660,876 
			 Gorman Hamilton Solicitors 9,229,890 1,364,849 85,498 10,680,238 
			 BRM Solicitors 9,670,748 28,101 406,055 10,104,904 
			 O. H. Parsons and Partners Solicitors 6,720,948 2,442,110 735,079 9,898,138 
			 Birchall Blackburn 9,337,769 0 31,850 9,369,619 
			 Wake Smith and Tofields Solicitors 8,619,831 328,134 413,793 9,361,757 
			 Shaw and Co. Solicitors 5,342,004 3,689,957 85,831 9,117,793 
			 Corries York 8,193,817 726,550 108,690 9,029,056 
			 Latham and Co. Solicitors 3,032,594 2,732,151 333,047 6,097,791 
			 Thompson and Co. Solicitors 3,668,998 2,261,047 98,718 6,028,763 
			 Hopkins 2,991,668 1,537,681 1,339,464 5,868,813 
			 Hilary Meredith Solicitors 5,684,279 0 4,500 5,688,779 
			 Mortons Solicitors 3,741,391 1,332,065 253,916 5,327,372 
			 Furley Page 4,468,987 764,177 5,500 5,238,664 
			 Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers 5,080,886 1,471 0 5,082,357 
			 Morisons Solicitors 3,424,732 1,304,639 265,941 4,995,313 
			 T. S. Edwards and Son Solicitors 3,477,301 1,359,833 49,241 4,886,375 
			 Marrons Solicitors 3,683,066 897,278 165,504 4,745,848 
			 Saffmans Solicitors 2,126,217 2,362,908 131,201 4,620,326 
			 Kingslegal 2,787,644 1,747,752 81,556 4,616,952 
			 Simpson Millar Solicitors 4,249,960 178,857 75,514 4,504,332 
			 Oxley and Coward Solicitors 2,157,868 2,058,286 159,232 4,375,386 
			 Meloy Whittle Robinson 3,089,796 692,109 241,309 4,023,214 
			 Hickmotts Solicitors 2,521,283 968,109 359,335 3,848,727 
			 Onyems and Partners 3,514,197 0 47,550 3,561,747 
			 1 Legal Solicitors 3,399,776 0 0 3,399,776 
			 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 2,158,034 935,501 121,125 3,214,659 
			 Proddow and Mackay Solicitors 3,024,181 0 24,450 3,048,631 
			 Bailey Bravo Jobling 2,833,561 0 0 2,833,561 
			 BHP Law 2,099,365 519,348 18,513 2,637,225 
			 McLeish Carswell 1,202,557 1,322,450 37,954 2,562,961 
			 McConville O'Neill Solicitors 2,276,802 200,294 61,773 2,538,869 
			 Cordner Lewis Solicitors 2,420,770 870 0 2,421,640 
			 Gorvin Smith Fort Solicitors 1,918,814 353,339 122,178 2,394,330 
			 Recompense Limited 2,305,351 0 8,050 2,313,401 
			 Gabb and Co. 1,409,116 739,254 84,378 2,232,748 
			 Pannone and Partners Solicitors 1,880,922 194,200 80,097 2,155,220 
			 Hindle Campbell Solicitors 2,083,824 0 0 2,083,824 
			 Morgan Cole 1,838,925 0 169,880 2,008,805 
			 Heptonstalls Solicitors LLP 0 0 1,920,153 1,920,153 
			 J. M. Skinner Solicitors 1,708,177 43,995 0 1,752,172 
			 Pinto Potts Solicitors 613,819 46,782 1,040,575 1,701,176 
			 Keeble Hawson 885,661 680,137 68,827 1,634,625 
			 DMH Stallard 1,125,517 108,796 299,172 1,533,485 
			 Wheelers Solicitors 1,477,049 0 0 1,477,049 
			 Farleys Solicitors 1,149,479 276,673. 2,643 1,428,794 
			 Emsleys Solicitors 1,306,846 49,932 69,153 1,425,931 
			 Canter Levin and Berg Solicitors 1,151,162 227,178 0 1,378,341 
			 J. Keith Park and Co. Solicitors 1,162,414 196,862 18,414 1,377,690 
			 MLM Solicitors 1,223,487 17,828 4,000 1,245,315 
			 Endlars Solicitors 447,524 602,611 152,222 1,202,357 
			 Colemans Solicitors 903,171 139,433 150,043 1,192,646 
			 Campbell Smith W.S. 917,934 181,637 37,637 1,137,208 
			 Mincoffs Solicitors 550,842 474,583 49,535 1,074,960 
			 Ben Hoare Bell and Co. Solicitors 791,353 196,986 40,967 1,029,305 
			 Lopian Wagner Solicitors 865,973 76,478 27,188 969,638 
			 Elliot Mather Solicitors 800,607 10,701 157,324 968,631 
			 SIS Law 923,635 0 0 923,635 
			 Branton Bridge 480,827 319,241 66,698 866,765 
			 Holmes and Hills Solicitors 469,093 160,905 225,827 855,825 
			 Morrish and Co. Solicitors 531,487 162,256 101,942 795,685 
			 Browns 13,603 928 724,566 739,098 
			 Russell Jones and Walker Solicitors 529,492 138,382 41,688 709,562 
			 Stripes Solicitors 632,696 49,160 12,800 694,656 
			 Foys Solicitors 542,389 120,205 5,995 668,588 
			 Treanors Solicitors 250,370 398,860 5,763 654,993 
			 BBH Solicitors 389,115 233,510 4,011 626,636 
			 Robinson King Solicitors-ceased trading 301,962 293,028 26,261 621,250 
			 Mills Donkin and Co. 535,417 30,280 10,481 576,177 
			 Housemans Solicitors 458,578 73,997 18,769 551,344 
			 Stuart Bell and Associates 392,553 139,043 18,333 549,930 
			 Peace Revitt Solicitors 331,468 187,850 10,552 529,870 
			 Robinson and Murphy Solicitors 237,069 229,729 56,640 523,437 
			 MK Legal LLP Solicitors 508,244 0 0 508,244 
			 Oakley and Davies 506,434 0 0 506,434 
			 Richard J. Knaggs and Co. 275,658 181,445 21,168 478,271 
			 Adam F. Greenhalgh and Co. Solicitors 61,268 44,616 356,000 461,884 
			 Lloyd Green Solicitors 391,165 10,044 4,000 405,210 
			 St. Davids Solicitors 382,117 0 0 382,117 
			 (1) Includes costs for Noise Induced Hearing Loss and other Miscellaneous Diseases.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which 100 firms of solicitors have submitted the most claims under the coal health compensation scheme; and how many claims each such firm has submitted.

David Kidney: The top 100 claimants' representatives who have submitted the most claims under the coal health compensation schemes is broken down by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), vibration white finger (VWF) and other miscellaneous claims shown in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Claimants' representatives  COPD costs  VWF costs  Misc . cla ims( 1)  c osts  Total costs 
			 Thompsons Solicitors 121,758,445 31,518,213 3,084,589 156.361,247 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 133,359,135 7,924,924 3,054,869 144.338,929 
			 Hugh James 102,057,162 12,326,792 964,859 116,348,813 
			 Raleys Solicitors 80,412,876 14,907,685 1,607,660 96,928.221 
			 Browell Smith and Co 56,340,495 14,385,298 1,980,467 72,706,260 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 58,622,804 45,800 0 58,668,604 
			 Avalon Solicitors 40,794,782 117,574 419,161 41,331,518 
			 Graysons Solicitors 25,536,505 12,455,640 2,794,482 40,786,626 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 23,241,215 10,611,889 6,373,980 40,227,084 
			 Watson Burton LLP 26,656,881 8,652,776 1,436,195 36,745,853 
			 Barber and Co 24,176,610 0 0 24,176,610 
			 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 18,374,906 1,408,675 109,690 19,893,271 
			 Moss Solicitors 12,669,621 5,656,411 1,457,882 19,783,914 
			 Towells Solicitors 12,721,460 6,043,282 689,742 19,454,485 
			 TLW Solicitors 16,049,983 1,010,621 293,075 17,353,679 
			 Ashton Morton Slack LLP 13,496,315 2,938,629 621,810 17,056,753 
			 Irwin Mitchell Solicitors 11,968,470 3,668,584 878,263 16,515,317 
			 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 10,200,466 3,793,094 520,617 14,514,177 
			 Ingrams Solicitors 13,944,643 206,197 60,567 14,211,408 
			 Corries Solicitors 11,067,799 2,401,321 434,963 13,904,083 
			 Delta Legal 13,161,798 0 2,250 13,164,048 
			 Atteys 7,853,621 4,705,066 102,189 12,660,876 
			 Gorman Hamilton Solicitors 9,229,890 1,364,849 85,498 10,680,238 
			 BRM Solicitors 9,670,748 28,101 406,055 10,104,904 
			 0 H Parsons and Partners Solicitors 6,720,948 2,442,110 735,079 9,898,138 
			 Birchall Blackburn 9,337,769 0 31,850 9,369,619 
			 Wake Smith and Tofields Solicitors 8,619,831 328,134 413,793 9,361,757 
			 Shaw and Co Solicitors 5,342,004 3,689,957 85,831 9,117,793 
			 Corries York 8,193,817 726,550 208,690 9,029,056 
			 Latham and Co Solicitors 3,032,594 2,732,151 333,047 6,097,791 
			 Thompson and Co Solicitors 3,668,998 2,261,047 98,718 6,028,763 
			 Hopkins 2,991,668 1,537,681 1,339,464 5,868,813 
			 Hilary Meredith Solicitors 5,684,279 0 4,500 5,688,779 
			 Mortons Solicitors 3,741,391 1,332,065 253.916 5,327,372 
			 Furley Page 4,468,987 764,177 5,500 5,238,664 
			 Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers 5,080,886 1,471 0 5,082,357 
			 Morisons Solicitors 3,424,732 1,304,639 265,941 4,995,313 
			 T S Edwards and Son Solicitors 3,477,301 1,359,833 49,241 4,886,375 
			 Marrons Solicitors 3,683,066 897,278 165,504 4,745,848 
			 Saffmans Solicitors 2,126,217 2,362,908 131,201 4,620,326 
			 Kingslegal 2,787,644 1,747,752 81,556 4,616,952 
			 Simpson Millar Solicitors 4,249,960 178,857 75,514 4,504,332 
			 Oxley and Coward Solicitors 2,157,868 2,058,286 159,232 4,375,386 
			 Meloy Whittle Robinson 3,089,796 692,109 241,309 4,023,214 
			 Hickmotts Solicitors 2,521,283 968,109 359,335 3,848,727 
			 Onyems and Partners 3,514,197 0 47,550 3,561,747 
			 1 Legal Solicitors 3,399,776 0 0 3,399,776 
			 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 2,158,034 935,501 121,125 3,214,659 
			 Proddow and Mackay Solicitors 3,024,181 0 24,450 3,048,631 
			 Bailey Bravo Jobling 2,833,561 0 0 2,833,561 
			 BHPLAW 2,099,365 519,348 18,513 2,637,225 
			 McLeish Carswell 1,202,557 1,322,450 37,954 2,562,961 
			 McConville O'Neill Solicitors 2,276,802 200,294 61,773 2,538,869 
			 Cordner Lewis Solicitors 2,420,770 870 0 2,421,640 
			 Gorvin Smith Fort Solicitors 1,918,814 353,339 122,178 2,394,330 
			 Recompense Limited 2,305,351 0 8,050 2,313,401 
			 Gabb and Co 1,409,116 739,254 84,378 2,232,748 
			 Pannone and Partners Solicitors 1,880,922 194,200 80,097 2,155,220 
			 Hindle Campbell Solicitors 2,083,824 0 0 2,083,824 
			 Morgan Cole 1,838,925 0 169,880 2,008,805 
			 Heptonstalls Solicitors LLP 0 0 1,920,153 1,920,153 
			 J M Skinner Solicitors 1,708,177 43,995 0 1,752,172 
			 Pinto Potts Solicitors 613,819 46,782 1,040,575 1,701.176 
			 Keeble Hawson 885,661 680,137 68,827 1,634,625 
			 DMH Stallard 1,125,517 108,796 299,172 1,533,485 
			 Wheelers Solicitors 1,477,049 0 0 1,477,049 
			 Farleys Solicitors 1,149,479 276,673 2,643 1,428,794 
			 Emsleys Solicitors 1,306,846 49,932 69,153 1,425,931 
			 Canter Levin and Berg Solicitors 1,151,162 227,178 0 1,378,341 
			 J Keith Park and Co Solicitors 1,162,414 196,862 18,414 1,377,690 
			 MLM Solicitors 1,223,487 17,828 4,000 1,245,315 
			 Endlars Solicitors 447,524 602,611 152,222 1,202,357 
			 Colemans Solicitors 903,171 139,433 150,043 1,192,646 
			 Campbell Smith W.S. 917,934 181,637 37,637 1,137,208 
			 Mincoffs Solicitors 550,842 474,583 49,535 1,074,960 
			 Ben Hoare Bell and Co Solicitors 791,353 196,986 40,967 1,029,305 
			 Lopian Wagner Solicitors 865,973 76,478 27,188 969,638 
			 Elliot Mather Solicitors 800,607 10,701 157,324 968,631 
			 SIS Law 923,635 0 0 923,635 
			 Branton Bridge 480,827 319,241 66,698 866,765 
			 Holmes and Hills Solicitors 469,093 160,905 225,827 855,825 
			 Morrish and Co Solicitors 531,487 162,256 101,942 795,685 
			 Browns 13,603 928 724,566 739,098 
			 Russell Jones and Walker Solicitors 529,492 138,382 41,688 709,562 
			 Stripes Solicitors 632,696 49,160 12,800 694,656 
			 Foys Solicitors 542,389 120,205 5,995 668,588 
			 Treanors Solicitors 250,370 398,860 5,763 654,993 
			 BBH Solicitors 389,115 233,510 4,011 626,636 
			 Robinson King Solicitors-ceased trading 301,962 293,028 26,261 621,260 
			 Mills Donkin and Co 535,417 30,280 10,481 576,177 
			 Housemans Solicitors 458,578 73,997 18,769 551,344 
			 Stuart Bell and Associates 392,553 139,043 18,333 549,930 
			 Peace Revitt Solicitors 331,468 187,8$0 10,552 529,870 
			 Robinson and Murphy Solicitors 237,069 229,729 56,640 523,437 
			 MK Legal LLP Solicitors 508,244 0 0 508,244 
			 Oakley and Davies 506,434 0 0 506,434 
			 Richard J. Knaggs and Co 275,658 181,445 21,168 478,271 
			 Adam F Greenhaigh and Co Solicitors 61,268 44,616 356,000 461,884 
			 Lloyd Green Solicitors 391,165 10,044 4,000 405,210 
			 St. Davids Solicitors 382,117 0 0 382,117 
			 (1) Includes costs for noise induced hearing loss and other miscellaneous diseases.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many persons with active claims under the Coal Health Compensation Scheme his Department has informed of the findings of solicitors' disciplinary tribunals in respect of the solicitors  (a) Beresfords,  (b) Avalon and  (c) Raleys.

David Kidney: The Department has not taken any such steps. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) findings on Beresfords have been published but Beresfords have lodged an appeal against the SDT's findings and it would be inappropriate to comment before the appeal process has been completed. The formal SDT findings on Raleys and Avalon have not yet been published.
	The Department has written to the Claimants Group (CG) who represent claimants' solicitors asking them what steps they are taking to make their clients aware of the SDT findings. To date, the CG have confirmed that they have not received any request from Beresfords clients on this matter.

Lighting: Government Departments

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the number of light bulbs used by  (a) his Department and  (b) other Government departments which are energy efficient.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 9 July 2009
	As at Friday 17 July 2009, there are 2,643 energy efficient light bulbs in use in DECC's estate. The Department does not hold records on light bulbs used in other Government Departments.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the estimated total capacity is of microgeneration units of each type of technology installed under the household stream of the Low Carbon Building Programme in each year since it began operating; and if he will make a statement.

David Kidney: The estimated total capacity of microgeneration units of each type of technology installed under the household stream of the Low Carbon Building Programme in each year since the commencement of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme is as shown in the table.
	 LCBP Householder Stream-Installed Capacity
	Statistics reflect paid grants as these are the only ones that The Energy Saving Trust has data for and have confirmation that technologies have been installed.
	
		
			  LCBP Householder Stream: Installed Capacity 
			  Technology  Number of paid grants  Power output kW or kWp  Thermal output kW  Collector area M2 
			  2006-07 
			 Biomass Room Heater/Stove (Automated Wood Pellet Feed) 5 - 33.2 - 
			 Ground Source Heat Pump 200 - 2,392.5 - 
			 Small Scale Hydro 3 22.0 - - 
			 Solar Photovoltaic 488 1,267.6 - - 
			 Solar Thermal Hot Water 1,855 - - 6,826.5 
			 Wind Turbine 431 1,484.9 - - 
			 Wood Fuelled Boiler System 88 - 2,278.0 - 
			 Total 3,070 2,774.5 4,703.7 6,826.5 
			  
			  2007-08 
			 Biomass Room Heater/Stove (Automated Wood Pellet Feed) 4 - 36.0 - 
			 Ground Source Heat Pump 152 - 1,928.7 - 
			 Small Scale Hydro 1 3.0 - - 
			 Solar Photovoltaic 314 644.2 - - 
			 Solar Thermal Hot Water 1,119 - - 8,890.7 
			 Wind Turbine 100 455.9 - - 
			 Wood Fuelled Boiler System 118 - 3,213.4 - 
			 Total 1,808 1,103.1 5,178.1 8,890.7 
			  
			  2008-09 
			 Air Source Heat Pump 42 - 474.9 - 
			 Biomass Room Heater/Stove (Automated Wood Pellet Feed) 2 - 16.0 - 
			 Ground Source Heat Pump 142 - 1,677.3 - 
			 Small Scale Hydro 1 8.5 - - 
			 Solar Photovoltaic 701 1,346.8 - - 
			 Solar Thermal Hot Water 1,986 - - 14,261.9 
			 Wind Turbine 110 588.8 - - 
			 Wood Fuelled Boiler System 170 - 5,631.8 - 
			 Total 3,154 1,944.1 7,800.0 14,261.9 
			  
			  2009-10( 1) 
			 Air Source Heat Pump 6 - 57.5 - 
			 Solar Photovoltaic 52 100.0 - - 
			 Solar Thermal Hot Water 99 - - 341.3 
			 Wind Turbine 5 30.0 - - 
			 Total 162 130.0 57.5 341.3 
			 (1) There are currently no installed/paid Biomass technologies.

Low Carbon Technologies

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the recent report of the Carbon Trust on commercialising low carbon technologies.

Joan Ruddock: The Carbon Trust report 'Focus for success-A new approach to commercialising tow carbon technologies' is an important contribution to the debate on how to ensure the UK maximises the economic benefit of the move to a low carbon economy. DECC worked closely with the Carbon Trust as it developed the report. We welcome its publication and broadly support its conclusions. The report is part of the evidence base and wider considerations that have informed the prioritisation decisions being made on the allocation of the low carbon investment funding announced in Budget 2009, as set out in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan and UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy published on 15 July.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the Minister of State plans to reply to the email from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire, dated 1 May 2009, on Vesta's Isle of Wight plant.

David Kidney: My noble colleague, Lord Hunt, responded to the hon. Member on 30 June 2009.

Nuclear Power Stations: Accidents

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what  (a) coolant leaks and  (b) fires have been recorded at each UK nuclear installation in each of the last 10 years.

David Kidney: ND screens incident reports made by licensees to identify those which have had the potential to challenge a nuclear safety system. A search of the raw input data for such screening from January 2001 to June 2009 has been undertaken for details of leaks and fires at nuclear installations. This identifies the relevant information in the tables. Such data are not available for the period before January 2001.
	 Notes:
	1. A 'coolant leak' has been interpreted as being a loss of coolant, including clean coolant, from an item of plant into the working environment of the licensed site. Coolant itself has been interpreted as being water, carbon dioxide or hydrogen on a power station, and water elsewhere.
	2. A 'fire' has been interpreted as being a situation where ignition of material has taken place on the licensed site or instances of smouldering there where such ignition could not reasonably be ruled out given the information in the record.
	
		
			  Coolant leaks to environment 
			   Site  Incident 
			  2001   
			 14 March Dungeness A Carbon dioxide leak from high pressure pump on carbon dioxide plant 
			 26 October Hinkley Point B Cooling water leak from turbine alternator 7 excitor 
			 3 November Heysham 1 Cooling water leak to turbine generator 
			 3 December Rosyth Loss of coolant from primary circuit clean-up resin column 
			
			  2002   
			 6 February Oldbury Reactor 2 cooling water pipe failure 
			 27 February Hinkley point B Leak of tritiated water from reactor bypass gas plant 
			 31 March Torness Carbon dioxide leak from refuelling machine 
			 14 May Sizewell B Indication of historic leak of primary coolant from control rod drive mechanism housing 
			 26 June Hunterston B Leak of carbon dioxide from gas bypass plant 
			 26 November Hunterston B Condenser leak on turbo generator 7 
			 18 December Hinkley point B Leak of tritiated water from break tank 
			 25 December Dungeness B Steam leak on reactor 
			
			  2003   
			 31 January Heysham 2 Steam leak on boiler half unit valve 
			 19 February Heysham 1 Release of cooling water from buffer store tube vent valve 
			 1 March Dungeness B Carbon dioxide leak from flange on clean side of reactor gas pressurising unit 
			 16 March Hunterston B Steam leak in the supply pipe work to Unit 7 main boiler feed pump 
			 3 April Hunterston B Clean carbon dioxide leak from failed bursting disc on gas bypass plant on Reactor 3 
			 13 May Dungeness A Leak from LP feed water pipe to R1 boilers 
			 15 July Heysham 1 Carbon dioxide leak from pressure transducer on refuelling machine 
			 27 July Dungeness B Leak of water from base of flask E97 
			 14 August Wylfa Leak from a Boiler 1 feed water line flange 
			 29 September Dungeness A Clean carbon dioxide leak from pipe work in R1 ponds area 
			 7 December Heysham 1 Leak of water from two failed joints in fuel route emergency cooling water 'A' main 
			
			  2004   
			 2 February Oldbury Leak from LF feed main stub pipe 
			 30 March Sizewell A Carbon dioxide release through failed vacuum pump oil separator 
			 31 March Hunterston B Leak from auxiliary cooling water pipe flange 
			 7 April Hunterston B Carbon dioxide release from the gas bypass plant autoclave room vacuum pump 
			 14 April Hartlepool Leak through crack in heat exchanger flange 
			 19 April Heysham 1 Carbon dioxide leak from west storage plant 
			 5 May Hunterston B Cooling water leak from generator yellow phase enclosure 
			 11 May Hinkley Point B Carbon dioxide leak from storage tank 
			 16 May Hinkley Point B Leak from Reactor 4 condensate system 
			 9 June Hartlepool Leak of tritiated water from radioactive effluent treatment plant 
			 13 June Torness Carbon dioxide leak from storage tank 
			 14 July Sellafield Leaking water from flask nappy in B205 
			 14 July Hunterston B Carbon dioxide leak from storage tank bursting disc 
			 21 July Hinkley Point B Carbon Dioxide leak from blowdown route 
			 25 July Heysham 1 Carbon Dioxide found in pressure vessel tendon box 
			 3 August Heysham 2 Carbon Dioxide leak from ring main 
			 9 September Hartlepool Leak in low pressure back up cooling system pipe work 
			 18 November Heysham 1 Alternator hydrogen coolant leak 
			 26 November Heysham 2 Oil leak from transformer 
			
			  2005   
			 1 January Heysham 2 Steam leak on Turbine Generator 7 
			 5 February Hinkley Point B Carbon dioxide leak from tank 
			 19 February Hinkley Point B Carbon dioxide leak from tank 
			 25 February Torness Carbon dioxide leak through in-service inspection penetration 
			 15 March Torness Carbon dioxide leak from ring main 
			 25 June Dungeness A Carbon dioxide leak from main CO2( )plant 
			 4 July Sellafield Damp patch discovered adjacent to B30 pond wall 
			 25 July Oldbury Steam leak through thermocouple pocket of Boiler 4 on Reactor 1 
			 4 August Hinkley Point B Carbon dioxide leak from vaporiser valve 
			 30 October Dungeness A Carbon dioxide leak through failed isolation valve to pressure gauge 
			
			  2006   
			 30 January Sellafield Leak of dosed cooling water from B832 cooling tower 
			 18 February Sellafield Leak of pond water through expansion joint above the stainless steel seal in B310 AGR storage pond 
			 24 March Hunterston B Carbon dioxide leak in pipe trench 
			 11 September Hinkley point B Carbon dioxide leak from supply pump 
			 23 September Hartlepool Alternator hydrogen coolant leak 
			 26 September Hartlepool Fracture of emergency cooling water main 
			 2 October Dungeness B Auxiliary cooling water pipe work leak 
			 15 October Sizewell A Steam leak from Turbine Alternator 1 
			 18 November Heysham 2 Steam leak from Reactor 7 
			
			  2007   
			 7 January Sizewell A Fracture of pond recirculating water system pipe work 
			 18 January Sellafield Waste Vitrification Plant electrical inductor cooling water leak 
			 1 March Hinkley Point B Carbon dioxide leak outside plant room 
			 26 March Dungeness B Carbon dioxide leak in reactor basement 
			 1 June Hunterston B Leak from condensate booster pump 
			 2 June Heysham 2 Leak in low pressure feed heater pipe work 
			 18 July Dungeness B Leak of tritiated water Identified 
			 19 September Hartlepool Leak of pressure vessel cooling water identified on boiler closure unit 
			 28 September Hunterston B Steam leaks in high pressure gland pipe work 
			 26 September Dungeness B Carbon dioxide leak from storage tank 
			 27 October Oldbury Carbon dioxide leak from fuelling machine 
			
			  2008   
			 19 February Oldbury Carbon dioxide leak from storage tank 
			 20 February Torness Carbon dioxide leak from gas bypass plant 
			 26 June Heysham 2 Steam leak in gland steam drain line 
			 26 July Heysham 1 Carbon dioxide leak from storage tank 
			 7 October Wylfa Carbon dioxide leak from storage tank 
			 23 December Torness Carbon dioxide leak from valve in the fuel machine standby CO2 coolant supplys 
			
			  2009   
			 24 April Hartlepool Hydrogen leak from Unit 2 alternator frame 
			 26 May Heysham 1 Turbine cooling water leak 
			 28 May Hinkley Point B Pressure vessel cooling water leak from Reactor 4 sump 
		
	
	
		
			  Fire 
			   Site  Incident 
			  2001   
			 18 January Hunterston B Control transformer fire in gas circulator workshop 
			 14 February Hunterston A Fire in pit in charge machine maintenance building 
			 18 February Dungeness A Fire near No. 1 bearing 
			 14 March Sellafield Fire during sawing of camera frame 
			 19 May Dungeness A Fire in region of slip ring and alternator on turbo-alternator 2 
			 14 June Hunterston B Fire in lagging below pump main bearing 
			 16 June Harwell Fire in fan assembly in electrical trunking on Helios 1 linear accelerator facility 
			 20 June Dounreay Sodium/potassium fire in Dounreay Fast Reactor sphere 
			 4 July Sellafield Fire in portable beta-in-air activity monitor 
			 11 July Amersham Fire in administration building 
			 18 July Dounreay Fire in sodium/potassium heating loop on Dounreay Fast Reactor 
			 27 July Berkeley Centre Sodium and natural uranium fire in fume cupboard 
			 30 August Harwell Fire in building 424 
			 27 September Hunterston B Air circulation fan motor fire in electrical switch room 
			 23 October Dungeness B Fire in canteen deep fat fryer 
			 24 October Heysham 2 Fire in incinerator fire box 
			 30 October Dounreay Uranium residue fire in a D1202 glovebox 
			 14 November Wylfa Fire in services switchboard transformer 
			 1 December Heysham 1 Fire on scaffolding in turbine hall basement 
			 3 December Hunterston B Light fitting fire in outage planning building 
			
			  2002   
			 9 March Hinkley Point B Lagging fire on Turbine 8 steam drain lines 
			 11 April Dungeness B Smouldering lagging on turbine (1) 
			 11 April Dungeness B Smouldering lagging on turbine (2) 
			 29 May Dounreay Fire in D1207 roof void 
			 12 July Oldbury Circulator lagging fire 
			 13 August Berkeley Centre Fire in multiplexor unit 
			 27 November Hunterston B Fire in light fitting 
			 21 December Heysham 1 Fire in turbine electrical terminal box 
			
			  2003   
			 10 January Hunterston B Bearing fire in Main Control Building air conditioning compressor 
			 27 January Heysham 1 Ignition of expansion joint on pile cap 
			 15 February Dounreay Waste drum fire in DN026 waste store 
			 25 April Heysham 2 Bearing fire in Turbine 8 
			 8 June Hunterston B Fire in 415 V electrical supply board 
			 8 July Heysham 2 Lagging fire on main boiler feed pump 
			 11 July Dungeness B Boiler feed pump primary oil pump fire 
			 15 July Harwell Fire in B220 Laboratory GB38 fume cupboard 
			 17 July Wylfa Light fitting fire above TA1 
			 30 July Rolls Royce Manufacturing Swarf fire during machining in Clean Shop 
			 28 August Barrow Smouldering plastic during burning-off operation 
			 2 October Hinkley Point B Debris fire in R3 Circulator Hall 
			 4 October Heysham 2 Lagging fire between bearings 4 and 5 of turbine 8 
			 24 October Devonport Welding fire in sonar transducer space 
			 16 December BNFL Capenhurst Fire in pit beneath smelter 
			
			  2004   
			 13 January Sellafield Two Magnox fuel decanning fires in Fuel Handling Plant 
			 22 January Hunterston B Fire in reactor building lift motor room 
			 5 February Bradwell Fire in portable water pump to showers in turbine hall 
			 7 March Hunterston A Vacuum cleaner motor fire 
			 27 May Hunterston B Electric motor fire in low level waste building annex 
			 13 June Heysham 2 Power supply cubicle fire 
			 17 June Hinkley Point B Smouldering wash water pump drive belt 
			 20 July Berkeley Fire in building C24 
			 4 October Hunterston B Main boiler feed pump lagging fire 
			 13 October Sizewell A Inboard pump bearing fire 
			 28 October Drigg Combustion of loose waste material 
			 17 November Bradwell Fire in reactor building electrical socket 
			
			  2005   
			 4 February Heysham 1 Smouldering lagging on turbine 
			 8 March Heysham 2 Fire on reactor basement sump pump 
			 22 April Harwell Capacitor fire in building 459 
			 22 June Torness Variable frequency output transformer fire 
			 30 June Barrow Portacabin fire 
			 14 July Heysham 2 Fire in bearing of fuel handling plant extract fan 
			 16 September Torness Fire in purge air compressor No. 2 
			 31 October Dungeness A Fire in bulk group 4 LF power supply 
			
			  2006   
			 23 January Sellafield Smoking bitumen seal around pipe on Combined Heat and Power Plant turbine 
			 24 March Dounreay Hydrogen ignition during waste cutting operation in Prototype Fast Reactor 
			 21 April Springfields Uranium shredder fire in building 338 
			 23 October Heysham 2 Smouldering leak management tray beside hot turbine reheat pipework 
			 23 December Burghfieid Smouldering cable in plant room 
			
			  2007   
			 1 February Hinkley Point B Fire in bund of gas circulator lube system 
			 2 June Hunterston B Bearing fire on turbogenerator 7 
			 12 August Heysham 2 Bearing fire in cooling water pump 
			
			  2008   
			 7 January Dounreay Fire in office suite of D1208 
			 13 March GE Healthcare Fire in inactive recycling plant 
			 15 June Rolls Royce Manufacturing Fire in glove box 
			 2 December Hartlepool Aerosol can fire 
			 3 December Trawsfynydd Convector heater fire in ponds office 
			
			  2009   
			 12 March Heysham 1 Lagging smoke/fire 
			 15 March GE Healthcare Fire in services spine duct 
			 31 March Barrow Fire on the casing of Astute Boat 2 during welding/grinding operations 
			 18 April Barrow Fire on the bridge fin of Astute Boat 1 
			 29 April Oldbury Smoking air circuit breaker 
			 18 May Wylfa Fire in Turbine alternator

Renewable Energy

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings have been held between officials of his Department and the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Alan Simpson) in his capacity as adviser on the implementation of the feed-in tariff programme.

David Kidney: No meetings have been held between DECC officials and my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Alan Simpson) on feed-in tariffs.

UDM-Vendside

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions  (a) officials and  (b) lawyers from his Department have visited UDM-Vendside headquarters in Mansfield since 1997.

David Kidney: Officials and Department's legal advisers have had formal business meetings with UDM/Vendside on a number of occasions but we don't have comprehensive records of these, and an accurate number is not, therefore, available. I should also add that similar business meetings have also taken place with the Claimants' Solicitors Group.

UDM-Vendside

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many meetings  (a) his Department and  (b) solicitors acting on his Department's behalf have had with UDM-Vendside in each year since 2005.

David Kidney: Officials have had formal business meetings with UDM-Vendside but we do not have comprehensive records of these, and an accurate number is not, therefore, available. I should also add that similar business meetings have also taken place with the Claimants' Solicitors Group.

Warm Front Scheme

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many complaints were  (a) received and  (b) upheld about the 10 Warm Front contractors who received the most work under the scheme (i) in the UK and (ii) in Wandsworth in (A) 2006, (B) 2007, (C) 2008 and (D) 2009.

David Kidney: The following table details the number of complaints  (a) received and  (b) upheld about 10 Warm Front contractors who received the most work under the scheme (i) in England and (ii) in Wandsworth in years 2006-07 to 2008-09 and from 1 March to 19 May in 2009-10 (the latest period for which figures are available).
	
		
			   England  Wandsworth 
			   Complaints  r eceived  Upheld complaints  Complaints  r eceived  Upheld complaints 
			 2006-07 532 276 7 3 
			 2007-08 813 261 3 1 
			 2008-09 435 190 4 2 
			 2009-10(1) 198 87 3 2 
			 Total 1,978 814 17 8 
			 (1) Up to 19 May 2009

Wind Power

William Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what criteria are used in the selection of sites for the construction of wind turbines; what assessment is made of the potential environmental effects on the local area of the siting of such turbines; and if he will make a statement.

David Kidney: It is for the market to bring forward proposals for sites for onshore or offshore wind farms and these are then considered through the planning system by the relevant planning authority as to whether it is appropriate to grant development consent. Environmental licences may also be required, for example, under the Food and Environmental Protection Act (FEPA).
	Offshore, following a Strategic Environmental Assessment by DECC or the relevant Devolved Administration in Scotland and Northern Ireland, The Crown Estate is responsible for awarding site leases for offshore wind development to the market through a competitive process. Any subsequent proposals are considered through the planning process.
	The Government have made clear that wind farms should be located in appropriate places and that local concerns should be listened to in this process. Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 22 on renewable energy(1) makes clear the need to ensure that all renewable energy developments take place within the formal planning procedure, which allows all relevant stakeholders, including members of the public, to put forward their views on the likely impact of any proposal on the environment and the local community. Similar policies are in place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
	We set out in the Renewable Energy Strategy published this week(2) steps to improve the planning process for renewable and low carbon energy while protecting legitimate environmental and local concerns.
	Planning applications should be accompanied by an environmental statement based on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This includes details of the likely impact of the project in question on the environment and wildlife, among other things. In considering an application, the planning authority will consult with a range of stakeholders, including the statutory advisers on nature conservation as well as others with an interest in the project. This ensures that decisions on whether to grant consent for a wind farm are considered in the light of the best available information about its likely environmental impacts. Any development of renewable energy must also be seen within the wider context of reducing carbon emissions and improving security of the energy supply.
	Where relevant, an Appropriate Assessment will be undertaken to meet the requirements of the Birds(3) and Habitats Directives(4).
	(1) http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planmngandbuilding/pps22
	(2) http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/res/res.aspx
	(3) Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds:
	http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/birdsdirective/index_en.htm
	(4) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora:
	http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm

Written Questions: Government Responses

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to answer questions  (a) 285519 and  (b) 285520, tabled on 6 July 2009 on the proposed national deep-level geographical repository for radioactive waste.

David Kidney: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave on 15 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 420-21W.

CABINET OFFICE

Alcoholic Drinks: Death

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many deaths in which alcohol was an underlying cause were recorded in each health trust area within the ceremonial county of Hampshire in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths in which alcohol was an underlying cause were recorded in each health trust within the Ceremonial County of Hampshire in each of the last five years. (287764)
	The table attached provides the number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause in Hampshire, Portsmouth City Teaching and Southampton City primary care organisations, from 2004 to 2008 (the latest year available). These primary care organisations are located within the area covered by Hampshire county, Portsmouth unitary authority and Southampton unitary authority, which together comprised the County of Hampshire prior to local government reorganisation.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause( 1)  in primary care organisations in Hampshire county, Portsmouth unitary authority and Southampton unitary authority( 2) , 2004-08( 3, 4) 
			  Primary care organisation  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Hampshire 118 128 142 100 120 
			 Portsmouth City Teaching 23 31 26 27 32 
			 Southampton City 25 35 32 32 27 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death categorised as alcohol-related, and their corresponding ICD-10 codes, are shown in box 1. (2) Based on boundaries as of 2009. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. (4) Figures for 2008 are provisional. 
		
	
	
		
			  Box 1. Alcohol-related causes of death-International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) 
			  Cause of death  ICD-10 code(s) 
			 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol F10 
			 Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol G31.2 
			 Alcoholic polyneuropathy G62.1 
			 Alcoholic cardiomyopathy 142.6 
			 Alcoholic gastritis K29.2 
			 Alcoholic liver disease K70 
			 Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified K73 
			 Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver (excl. Biliary cirrhosis) K74 (excl. K74.3-K74.5) 
			 Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis K86.0 
			 Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X45 
			 Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X65 
			 Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, undetermined intent YI5

Census: Fines

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people were fined for not supplying information in their 2001 Census return.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many people were fined for not supplying information in their 2001 Census return. (288260)
	Of the 38 people that were successfully prosecuted for non-completion of 2001 Census returns, fines were imposed in 32 cases. Prosecutions were carried out in a Magistrate's Court and the imposition and amount of the fine was at the discretion of the Magistrate within the limits of the standard scale under the Criminal Justice Act.

Census: Travelling People

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps are planned to collect information from Travellers in the 2011 Census.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what steps are planned to collect information from Travellers in the 2011 Census. (288261)
	We are making special preparations to enumerate the Gypsy and Traveller community and these will be trialled in the Census Rehearsal which takes place on 11 October 2009 in areas within Newham, Lancaster and Isle of Anglesey. In developing the plans we are working closely with local authorities' Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officers, and are liaising with Gypsy and Traveller community groups.
	Advance information about traveller sites will be gathered including any requirements for help with literacy or sight or hearing impairment issues. Authorised sites will be visited as pre-arranged with the site manager to hand deliver questionnaires. Transit sites and any temporary roving caravans, travelling fairs and circuses will also be visited on Rehearsal day to complete both delivery and collection of questionnaires.
	Following face-to-face meetings with a number of Roma and Romani community leaders and support organisations, plus direct meetings with representations of Travellers and Gypsy communities, we are planning to recruit directly from those communities to help overcome issues of literacy, language and concerns about confidentiality. The community leaders themselves have also offered to support our Census awareness campaign.
	Following the Rehearsal the procedures will be evaluated and adapted as necessary prior to the 2011 Census. We are continuing to improve contact with Gypsy and Traveller groups through the community liaison programme.
	The proposed 2011 Census ethnic group question includes for the first time a specific category for 'Gypsy or Irish Traveller'. A write-in option is also available for those Travellers who may wish to identify themselves in any other way.

Civil Servants: Manpower

Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to box 2.6 of the White Paper, Your region your choice, Cm 5511, how many civil servants were employed in each region in each year from 2003.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, with reference to box 2.6 of the White Paper, Your region your choice, Cm 5511, how many civil servants were employed in each region in each year from 2003. (287729)
	The requested statistics are attached at Annex A.
	
		
			  Annex A: Regional distribution of Civil Service employment 2003-2008( 1) - Permanent employees 
			  Full-time equivalents 
			   2003(2)  2004(2)  2005(2)  2006(3,4)  2007(3)  2008(5) 
			  London and South East   
			 London 90,730 86,840 89,550 64,340 81,840 80,410 
			 South East 58,300 57,360 57,630 47,200 48,990 49,840 
			
			 South West 48,810 52,630 52,360 48,230 50,760 49,990 
			 West Midlands 33,620 34,800 34,550 29,130 31,540 31,580 
			 North West 60,530 61,580 59,720 52,400 58,600 58,560 
			 North East 33,250 35,710 34,460 30,870 32.640 31,670 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 35,570 39,140 38,670 34,500 36,330 36,370 
			 East Midlands 22,110 23,180 22,870 20,100 23,310 23,080 
			 East of England 31,490 31,100 30,600 23,790 27,900 27,820 
			 Wales 31,520 33,540 32,680 29,250 31,290 32,140 
			 Scotland 46,580 48,670 48,130 39,600 45,620 45,090 
			 Northern Ireland 5,940 6,210 6,250 4,910 5,140 4,720 
			 Not reported and elsewhere 13,960 12,810 10,960 9,880 14,980 11,630 
			
			 All permanent employees 512,400 523,580 518,430 434,210 488,930 482,920 
			 (1) Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten, and numbers less than five are represented by '*'. (2) Survey reference date 1 April. (3) Survey reference date 30 September. (4) Data available from Mandate collection only, providing around 85% coverage of Government departments. A comparable total for 2006, compiled by using a combination of the Mandate Collection and Departmental Returns is 508,570. Further details can be found at http://www.ons.gov.uk/about-statistics/methodology-and-quality/quality/qual-info-economic-social-and-bus-stats/quality-reports-for-business-statistics/annual-civil-service-employment-survey.pdf (5) Survey reference date 31 March.  Source: Mandate Collection (Cabinet Office 2003-2005; ONS 2006) and Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ONS 2007-2008)

Civil Servants: Pay

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what information the Office for National Statistics holds on the  (a) non-ministerial departments,  (b) non-departmental public bodies and  (c) public corporations which pay a salary of more than (i) £100,000, (ii) £150,000 and (iii) £200,000 to one or more individual civil servants.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, concerning what information the Office for National Statistics holds on the (a) non-ministerial departments, (b) non-departmental public bodies and (c) public corporations which pay a salary of more than (i) £100,000, (ii) £150,000 and (iii) £200,000 to one or more individual civil servants. (287242)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects a range of information, including the annual salaries of civil servants, as part of the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES). The ACSES provides regional analyses, diversity and earnings statistics for the Civil Service population. The survey's content is outlined in the table at Annex A. The ACSES is a complete census of the Civil Service and includes all non-ministerial departments and a number of non-departmental public bodies and public corporations that are staffed by civil servants.
	Further detail on the content of the ACSES is available from the ONS website at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/about-statistics/methodology-and-quality/quality/qual-info-economic-social-and-bus-stats/quality-reports-for-business-statistics/annual-civil-service-employment-survey.pdf
	 Annex A
	 Required Fields for the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey 2009
	 Variable Name
	Date of birth
	Gender
	Part-time hours
	Full-time equivalent (FTE)
	Civil service-date of entry
	Civil service-grade on entry
	Department
	Current grade
	Current grade-date of entry
	Location
	National identity
	Ethnic background
	Date of leaving
	Cause of leaving
	Record key
	Profession of post
	Disability indicator
	Appointment status
	Gross salary
	Department-date of entry
	Post code

Civil Servants: Pay

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many civil servants in  (a) departments,  (b) executive agencies and  (c) non-departmental public bodies receive an annual salary of over £150,000.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, concerning how many civil servants in (a) departments, (b) executive agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies receive an annual salary of over £150,000. (287257)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects the annual salaries of civil servants, as part of the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES).
	The requested data are attached at Annex A.
	
		
			  Annex A: Number of individual civil servants paid more than £150,000 in departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPB)( 1)( ) permanent employees 
			   Headcount 
			  31 March 2008  Greater than £150,000 
			 Departments(2) 80 
			 Executive agencies 10 
			 Non-departmental public bodies - 
			 (1) Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten and numbers less than five are represented by -. (2) Includes ministerial and non-ministerial Departments.  Source:  Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES).

Civil Service

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether employees in public corporations are reckoned to be Civil Service employees for headcount purposes.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning whether the number of employees in public corporations are reckoned to be Civil Service employees for headcount purposes. (287347)
	If the employees of public corporations have civil service status they will be included in the civil service headcount statistics. At Quarter 1 2009, there were 525,000 Civil Service employees and 568,000 employees of public corporations. Of those employed by public corporations, 31,493 were included in Civil Service headcount estimates (all not seasonally adjusted).

Civil Service: Languages

Tim Boswell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what information the Cabinet Office collates on the competences of domestic civil servants in modern foreign languages; and what steps she is taking to improve such competence levels.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	Information on the competencies of domestic civil servants in modern foreign languages is not held centrally. Departments may hold this information where it is relevant to the post.
	The UK Inter-Departmental Standing Committee on Languages (UKIDSCOL), a cross-governmental languages group has identified a lack of higher education provision in certain languages operationally important (notably Pashtu, Farsi, Dari, Kurdish and Somali). In response, UKIDSCOL recently began working with Government Skills (the skills council for central government) to encourage the higher education sector to provide teaching in these languages. Progress on this work is expected by the end of the year.

Civil Service: Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost was of administering the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) on 15 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1048W.

Death: Cannabis

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many cannabis-related deaths there were in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many cannabis-related deaths there were in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point in each of the last five years. (288112)
	There were no deaths where the underlying cause was drug poisoning(1) and cannabis was mentioned alone or with other substances on the death certificate, in (a) Essex county,(2) including Castle Point local authority,(3) from 2003 to 2007(4) (the latest year available).
	(1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (shown in the box below), and where cannabis was mentioned on the death certificate.
	(2) In addition, there were no deaths from this cause in Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock unitary authorities, which were part of the former County of Essex, in any of these years.
	(3) Based on boundaries as of 2009.
	(4) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.
	
		
			  Cause of death  ICD-10 code(s) 
			 Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) F11-F16, F18-F19 
			 Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances X40-X44 
			 Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances X60-X64 
			 Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances X85 
			 Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent Y10-Y14

Death: Heart Diseases

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people under the age of 18 years have died of cardiovascular failure in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many people under the age of 18 years have died of cardiovascular failure in each of the last 10 years. (288388)
	The table attached provides the number of deaths of persons aged under 18 years, where cardiovascular disease was the underlying cause of death in England and Wales, from 1999 to 2008 (the latest year available).
	
		
			  Table 1. Number of deaths where cardiovascular disease was the underlying cause of death( 1) ,' persons aged under 18 years, E ngland and Wales( 2) , 1999  to  2008( 3, 4) ' 
			   Number 
			 1999 173 
			 2000 172 
			 2001 159 
			 2002 139 
			 2003 163 
			 2004 143 
			 2005 145 
			 2006 177 
			 2007 171 
			 2008 155 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 390-459 for the years 1999 and 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes 100-199 from 2001 onwards. (2) Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. (4) Figures for deaths registered in 2008 are provisional.

Death: Seas and Oceans

Julian Brazier: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people died in marine accidents in British territorial waters in each year from 2002 to 2008; and how many of those deaths in each such year were suicides.

Paul Clark: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of people that have died in maritime related accidents or committed suicide in the maritime environment in each year from 2002 to 2008 in the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region is given in the following table:
	
		
			   Maritime related accidents  Suicides in the maritime environment 
			 2002 110 71 
			 2003 105 55 
			 2004 100 115 
			 2005 101 113 
			 2006 124 105 
			 2007 127 71 
			 2008 93 92

Departmental Accountancy

Steve Webb: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she expects to publish her Department's resource accounts for 2008-09.

Angela Smith: The Cabinet Office's Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09 were published on 16 July and are available in the Libraries of the House for the reference of Members.

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what categories of personal information on members of the public are contained on each database which contains such data managed by her Department and its agencies; when each category of information was first collected; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what databases managed by her Department and its agencies hold personal information on members of the public; on what date each such database became operational; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  which of the planned databases that will be managed by her Department or its agency and which will hold personal information on members of the public are expected to become operational in each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what categories of personal information on members of the public will be held on each of her Department's and its agency's databases expected to become operational in the next five years; what estimate she has made of the likely number of individuals' details each such database will hold when fully operational; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Of the databases owned by the Cabinet Office, there are six that contain information about members of the public. The personal information held is name and contact details, unless otherwise stated.
	(1) The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) stakeholder database has been operational since 2006, when OTS was established in the Cabinet Office. There are some members of the public on this database.
	(2) The Queen's Award nominations database has been operational since 2002. Most of the nominees are members of the public. Additional category of information held is the reason for the award nomination.
	(3) The Departmental Correspondence database has been operational since 1997. It includes members of the public who have corresponded with the department.
	(4) The Prime Minister's Office stakeholder database has existed in electronic form since 1999. There are some members of the public on this database.
	(5) The Emergency Planning College database has been operational since 2006. It includes information on members of the public who attend the college. Additional categories of information held are: vehicle registration and dietary preference for students; and research interests of visiting lecturers and researchers.
	(6) The Fast Stream Recruitment database has been operational since 2004. It includes information on members of the public who have applied to the Fast Stream graduate recruitment scheme. Additional categories of information held are: employment and education history; equality and diversity information; disclosure certificates and references.
	There are no current plans to store any new data or categories of personal information on members of the public within the Cabinet Office as a whole.
	All databases which we hold which contain personal data adhere to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. In addition, following the publication of the cross government data handling review, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data will be obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	All of our databases containing personal information are stored on secure networks and have limited access. Cabinet Office policy does not permit uncontrolled transfer of these data to unsecured media.

Departmental Expenditure

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the planned real terms change in  (a) cash and  (b) percentage terms in her Department's expenditure is in each of the next three years.

Angela Smith: Details of the Cabinet Office's planned expenditure to the end of the current comprehensive spending review period are available in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09 which were published on 16 July and are available in the Libraries of the House for the reference of Members.

Departmental Personnel

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the answer of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 335W, on departmental personnel, how many staff in the Cabinet Office have no post; how many such staff without posts were classified as being without post upon return from maternity leave; and how many of the staff without posts have been classified as such for at least  (a) six months and  (b) 12 months.

Angela Smith: As at 30 June 2009 there were 32 Cabinet Office employees without a permanent role. All staff are allocated short-term critical projects to allow flexibility and effective use of Cabinet Office resources. None of these staff are returnees from maternity leave.

Departmental Publications

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  with reference to the answer to the right hon. Member for Tatton of 22 February 2005,  Official Report, column 525W, on departmental publications, what the title is of the Cabinet Office's current staff newsletter; how much it costs to produce; and with what frequency is it published;
	(2)  if she will place in the Library a copy of each edition of the Cabinet Office's staff magazine from the last three months redacting  (a) personally identifiable names and photographs of junior civil servants and  (b) information necessary to safeguard national security.

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will place in the Library a copy of each edition of her Department's internal staff journal, with sensitive personal information redacted.

Tessa Jowell: The Cabinet Office no longer has a weekly staff publication. Instead, it runs an online news service for its staff on its departmental intranet, which is updated daily. Costs for maintaining the news service are covered by the Department's existing staff budget.

Employment: Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many  (a) men and  (b) women were in employment in the Hemsworth constituency in May in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) men and (b) women were in employment in the Hemsworth constituency in (i) May 1997 and (ii) May of each year since 1997. (288662)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. Estimates for local areas are only available on an annual basis.
	Table 1, attached, shows the number of people in employment aged 16 and over by gender, resident in the Hemsworth constituency. Estimates are provided for the 12 months ending in February from 1998 to 2004 from the annual LFS, and for the 12 months ending in December from 2004 to 2008, from the APS.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Table 1: Men and women in employment( 1)  in Hemsworth parliamentary constituency 
			  Thousand 
			  12 months ending  Men  Women 
			 February 1998 18 15 
			 February 1999 20 15 
			 February 2000 18 15 
			 February 2001 20 18 
			 February 2002 21 16 
			 February 2003 26 16 
			 February 2004 25 18 
			 December 2004 22 18 
			 December 2005 20 18 
			 December 2006 25 20 
			 December 2007 22 20 
			 December 2008(2) ***22 ***17 
			 (1) Levels of employment are provided for persons aged 16 and over. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below.  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220  KeyCoefficient of Variation (CV) (%)Statistical Robustness *0 ≤ CV5Estimates are considered precise **  5 ≤CV 10  Estimates are considered reasonably precise ***10 ≤CV 20Estimates are considered acceptable ****  CV ≥20Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes  Source: Annual Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey.

Employment: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many people were self-employed in  (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency,  (b) Dacorum and  (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many people have claimed jobseeker's allowance in  (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency,  (b) Dacorum and  (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how may people were self-employed in (a) Hemel Hempstead, (b) Dacorum and (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997; and how many people have claimed jobseeker's allowance in (a) Hemel Hempstead, (b) Dacorum and (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997. (287860, 287857)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles labour market statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) and its predecessor the Annual Labour Force Survey (LFS). The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance is compiled from Jobcentre Plus administrative data.
	Table 1 shows the number of self-employed people resident in Hertfordshire in each year. Estimates for self-employed people for Hemel Hempstead and Dacorum are not available.
	Table 2 shows the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance resident in the requested areas for June of each year since 1997.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment and unemployment, are available from the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of self-employed( 1)  people resident in Hertfordshire in each year since 1997 
			  Thousand 
			  12 months ending:  Hertfordshire 
			 February 1998 69 
			 February 1999 75 
			 February 2000 68 
			 February 2001 68 
			 February 2002 69 
			 February 2003 72 
			 February 2004 80 
			 December 2004 79 
			 December 2005 76 
			 December 2006 78 
			 December 2007 86 
			 December 2008(2) **91 
			 (1) People in employment who are self employed aged 16 and over. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality following. 
			  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220  Key  Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness * 0 ≤ CV 5 Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes  Source: Annual Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance resident in Hemel Hempstead, Dacorum and Hertfordshire 
			  Thousand 
			  As at June each year  Hemel Hempstead  Dacorum  Hertfordshire 
			 1997 1 2 14 
			 1998 1 1 10 
			 1999 1 1 9 
			 2000 1 1 8 
			 2001 1 1 7 
			 2002 1 1 8 
			 2003 1 1 9 
			 2004 1 1 8 
			 2005 1 1 9 
			 2006 1 2 10 
			 2007 1 1 9 
			 2008 1 1 8 
			 2009 2 3 19 
			  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Islamic Bank of Britain

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Charity Commission has had recent discussions with representatives of Lloyds Banking Group on the Group's decision to order the Islamic Bank of Britain to cease processing payments for Interpal.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the Commission to reply.
	 Letter from Andrew Hind, July 2009:
	As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question on whether the Charity Commission has had any recent discussions with representatives of Lloyds Banking Group on the Group's decision to order the Islamic Bank of Britain to cease processing payments for Interpal.
	In response to your question, the Commission has not had any recent discussions relating to this decision. The decision made by Lloyds Banking Group is not one in which the Commission can become directly involved or seek to influence, as it is a business decision for any bank as a supplier of financial services as to whom they offer those services. However, the Commission as regulator is clear that in order to operate effectively and transparently when delivering aid or other charitable work, every charity must have access to banking services. We would have serious concern if a charity were not able to operate for lack of a bank account, because of the harm that could result to its charitable work and its ability to operate transparently.
	The Commission does on occasion engage with the banking industry generally in the course of its business, and has held discussions with the banking industry in relation to a number of issues affecting charities including the impact of overseas countries designation lists.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of young people aged between 18 and 24 years old resident in the Chelmsford local authority area claimed jobseeker's allowance in  (a) each of the last five years and  (b) 2009 to date.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of young people aged between 18 and 24 years old resident in the Chelmsford local authority area claimed jobseeker's allowance in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2009 to date. (287045)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. Table 1 shows the number and percentage of persons aged 18-24 claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in each month since January 2004.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			  Table 1: number of persons aged 18-24 resident in Chelmsford claiming Jobseeker's Allowance 
			   Chelmsford 
			  Date  Number( 1)  Percentage( 2) 
			 January 2004 295 2.2 
			 February 2004 315 2.4 
			 March 2004 325 2.5 
			 April 2004 290 2.2 
			 May 2004 245 1.8 
			 June 2004 220 1.7 
			 July 2004 235 1.8 
			 August 2004 280 2.1 
			 September 2004 275 2.1 
			 October 2004 265 2.0 
			 November 2004 240 1.8 
			 December 2004 255 1.9 
			 January 2005 305 2.3 
			 February 2005 320 2.4 
			 March 2005 300 2.2 
			 April 2005 315 2.4 
			 May 2005 315 2.3 
			 June 2005 310 2.3 
			 July 2005 325 2.4 
			 August 2005 365 2.7 
			 September 2005 355 2.7 
			 October 2005 345 2.6 
			 November 2005 340 2.5 
			 December 2005 355 2.7 
			 January 2006 400 3.0 
			 February 2006 430 3.2 
			 March 2006 410 3.0 
			 April 2006 435 3.2 
			 May 2006 380 2.8 
			 June 2006 340 2.5 
			 July 2006 400 3.0 
			 August 2006 400 3.0 
			 September 2006 405 3.0 
			 October 2006 375 2.8 
			 November 2006 385 2.8 
			 December 2006 365 2.7 
			 January 2007 395 2.9 
			 February 2007 425 3.1 
			 March 2007 425 3.1 
			 April 2007 430 3.1 
			 May 2007 400 2.9 
			 June 2007 375 2.7 
			 July 2007 380 2.8 
			 August 2007 380 2.8 
			 September 2007 370 2.7 
			 October 2007 350 2.6 
			 November 2007 335 2.4 
			 December 2007 325 2.4 
			 January 2008 345 2.5 
			 February 2008 350 2.6 
			 March 2008 325 2.4 
			 April 2008 300 2.2 
			 May 2008 305 2.2 
			 June 2008 295 2.2 
			 July 2008 340 2.5 
			 August 2008 385 2.8 
			 September 2008 415 3.0 
			 October 2008 430 3.2 
			 November 2008 515 3.8 
			 December 2008 530 3.9 
			 January 2009 625 4.6 
			 February 2009 770 5.6 
			 March 2009 785 5.7 
			 April 2009 825 6.0 
			 May 2009 835 6.1 
			 June 2009 785 5.7 
			 (1) Data rounded to nearest 5 (2) Percentage of 18-24 years olds claiming jobseeker's allowance  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Jobseeker's Allowance: Ethnic Groups

Steve Webb: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance claimants were from each ethnic minority in each of the last 24 months.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance claimants were from each ethnic minority in each of the last 24 months.(287340)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. The ethnicity of claimants is not available for the United Kingdom and has been provided for Great Britain. Ethnicity is also not available for non-computerised claims.
	Tables la-c show the number of computerised claims of Jobseeker's Allowance for each recorded ethnic group for each of the last 24 months. Tables 2a-c show the proportion of all computerised claims by each ethnic group for the same time periods.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			  Table 1a: Number of persons claiming jobseeker's allowance by ethnicity 
			  Great Britain 
			Total  White - British  White - Irish  White - Other  Mixed - White and Black Caribbean  Mixed - White and Black African 
			 2007 May 861,240 610,545 6,355 16,705 6,215 1,975 
			  June 828,550 584,555 6,110 15,720 6,015 1,875 
			  July 826,415 582,550 5,945 15,390 6,030 1,885 
			  August 828,875 583,900 5,865 15,135 6,080 1,860 
			  September 801,970 561,740 5,745 14,980 6,045 1,825 
			  October 775,735 544,890 5,540 14,835 5,775 1,730 
			  November 760,560 537,015 5,370 14,615 5,590 1,655 
			  December 764,890 545,335 5,490 14,775 5,735 1,650 
			 
			 2008 January 803,845 578,760 5,625 14,910 5,890 1,725 
			  February 821,360 592,190 5,705 15,770 6,155 1,785 
			  March 815,345 586,930 5,620 15,980 6,240 1,810 
			  April 807,850 582,525 5,475 15,800 6,230 1,820 
			  May 804,350 579,525 5,445 15,940 6,230 1,845 
			  June 805,680 581,085 5,485 15,905 6,390 1,830 
			  July 840,595 610,000 5,615 16,325 6,590 1,880 
			  August 891,830 653,375 5,925 16,840 6,955 1,995 
			  September 911,965 669,270 6,035 17,545 7,090 2,000 
			  October 936,940 694,600 6,240 18,620 7,160 2,040 
			  November 1,019,540 765,160 6,865 20,890 7,500 2,080 
			  December 1,114,135 846,670 7,575 23,035 8,085 2,230 
			 
			 2009 January 1,239,610 951,995 8,175 25,075 8,515 2,320 
			  February 1,412,355 1,087,495 9,235 32,270 9,570 2,600 
			  March 1,473,655 1,133,345 9,590 35,390 10,130 2,735 
			  April 1,506,420 1,157,055 9,865 35,830 10,495 2,810 
			  May 1,512,440 1,158,350 10,025 35,425 10,745 2,855 
			  Note: Data rounded to nearest 5  Source:  Jobcentre Plus administrative system 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 1b: Number of persons claiming jobseeker's allowance by ethnicity 
			  Great Britain 
			Mixed - White and Asian  Mixed - Other Mixed  Asian or Asian British - Indian  Asian or Asian British - Pakistani  Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi  Asian or Asian British - Other Asian 
			 2007 May 1,540 3,730 15,675 20,060 9,560 6,370 
			  June 1,530 3,590 15,250 19,910 9,440 6,205 
			  July 1,505 3,510 15,225 20,025 9,350 6,115 
			  August 1,550 3,455 15,695 20,115 9,320 6,085 
			  September 1,540 3,490 14,955 19,880 9,465 6,045 
			  October 1,455 3,320 14,115 19,035 9,200 5,810 
			  November 1,385 3,255 13,430 18,330 9,030 5,735 
			  December 1,415 3,235 13,005 17,950 8,525 5,530 
			 
			 2008 January 1,435 3,285 13,345 18,255 8,540 5,605 
			  February 1,455 3,360 13,160 18,440 8,650 5,750 
			  March 1,490 3,420 13,315 18,320 8,620 5,710 
			  April 1,495 3,435 13,380 18,200 8,480 5,630 
			  May 1,525 3,450 13,755 18,740 8,510 5,725 
			  June 1,530 3,410 14,000 19,150 8,610 5,800 
			  July 1,615 3,600 14,945 19,675 8,725 5,930 
			  August 1,700 3,730 15,710 20,425 9,025 6,265 
			  September 1,750 3,810 15,985 21,035 9,280 6,370 
			  October 1,720 3,880 15,825 20,615 9,290 6,365 
			  November 1,780 4,140 16,200 21,015 9,395 6,530 
			  December 1,870 4,425 17,385 21,625 9,255 6,800 
			 
			 2009 January 2,025 4,735 19,350 23,100 9,640 7,265 
			  February 2,265 5,420 21,800 24,985 10,290 8,110 
			  March 2,475 5,785 23,115 25,720 10,780 8,610 
			  April 2,560 6,045 24,335 26,365 10,910 8,865 
			  May 2,540 6,180 25,460 27,230 11,395 9,125 
			  Note: Data rounded to nearest 5  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 1c: Number of persons claiming jobseeker's allowance by ethnicity 
			  Great Britain 
			Black or Black British - Caribbean  Black or Black British - African  Black or Black British - Other Black  Chinese or Other Ethnic Group - Chinese  Chinese or Other Ethnic Group - Other Ethnic Group  Prefer Not To Say  Unknown 
			 2007 May 26,550 23,790 6,250 2,070 19,610 71,410 12,835 
			  June 25,785 23,300 6,060 1,975 18,840 70,005 12,385 
			  July 25,555 23,195 6,060 2,015 18,315 71,520 12,230 
			  August 25,620 23,240 6,045 2,045 17,950 73,045 11,870 
			  September 25,255 22,960 5,950 2,025 17,750 70,685 11,630 
			  October 24,340 22,015 5,765 1,915 17,235 67,630 11,125 
			  November 23,710 21,280 5,555 1,860 16,750 65,410 10,590 
			  December 23,600 20,845 5,500 1,755 16,515 63,290 10,740 
			  
			 2008 January 23,750 20,950 5,530 1,735 16,610 66,600 11,295 
			  February 23,990 21,485 5,715 1,695 16,800 67,520 11,730 
			  March 24,145 21,650 5,755 1,680 16,710 66,000 11,950 
			  April 23,940 21,415 5,735 1,655 16,525 64,025 12,085 
			  May 24,125 21,840 5,780 1,685 16,455 62,075 11,705 
			  June 24,475 22,255 5,845 1,680 16,215 59,970 12,050 
			  July 25,080 22,770 5,970 1,745 16,230 61,495 12,395 
			  August 26,005 23,475 6,185 1,835 16,335 63,310 12,745 
			  September 26,450 23,965 6,320 1,895 16,770 63,505 12,900 
			  October 26,385 23,660 6,240 1,920 16,935 63,205 12,245 
			  November 27,205 24,015 6,415 1,915 17,525 66,845 14,065 
			  December 28,570 24,695 6,775 2,025 18,320 70,460 14,345 
			  
			 2009 January 29,570 25,675 7,040 2,170 19,200 78,535 15,225 
			  February 32,260 27,845 7,730 2,295 21,055 88,960 18,165 
			  March 33,840 29,525 8,285 2,500 21,965 91,175 18,685 
			  April 34,995 30,570 8,630 2,645 22,285 92,575 19,580 
			  May 35,880 31,755 8,880 2,775 22,460 91,575 19,775 
			  Note: Data rounded to nearest 5  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2a: Percentage of jobseeker's allowance claimants by ethnicity 
			  Great Britain 
			White - British  White - Irish  White - Other  Mixed - White and Black Caribbean  Mixed - White and Black African 
			 2007 May 70.9 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			  June 70.6 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			  July 70.5 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			  August 70.4 0.7 1.8 0.7 0.2 
			  September 70.0 0.7 1.9 0.8 0.2 
			  October 70.2 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			  November 70.6 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			  December 71.3 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			
			 2008 January 72.0 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			  February 72.1 0.7 1.9 0.7 0.2 
			  March 72.0 0.7 2.0 0.8 0.2 
			  April 72.1 0.7 2.0 0.8 0.2 
			  May 72.0 0.7 2.0 0.8 0.2 
			  June 72.1 0.7 2.0 0.8 0.2 
			  July 72.6 0.7 1.9 0.8 0.2 
			  August 73.3 0.7 1.9 0.8 0.2 
			  September 73.4 0.7 1.9 0.8 0.2 
			  October 74.1 0.7 2.0 0.8 0.2 
			  November 75.0 0.7 2.0 0.7 0.2 
			  December 76.0 0.7 2.1 0.7 0.2 
			
			 2009 January 76.8 0.7 2.0 0.7 0.2 
			  February 77.0 0.7 2.3 0.7 0.2 
			  March 76.9 0.7 2.4 0.7 0.2 
			  April 76.8 0.7 2.4 0.7 0.2 
			  May 76.6 0.7 2.3 0.7 0.2 
			  Note: Data rounded to nearest 5.  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2b: Percentage of jobseeker's allowance claimants by ethnicity 
			  Great Britain 
			Mixed - White and Asian  Mixed - Other Mixed  Asian or Asian British - Indian  Asian or Asian British - Pakistani  Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi  Asian or Asian British - Other Asian 
			 2007 May 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.3 1.1 0.7 
			  June 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.4 1.1 0.7 
			  July 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.4 1.1 0.7 
			  August 0.2 0.4 1.9 2.4 1.1 0.7 
			  September 0.2 0.4 1.9 2.5 1.2 0.8 
			  October 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.5 1.2 0.7 
			  November 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.4 1.2 0.8 
			  December 0.2 0.4 1.7 2.3 1.1 0.7 
			 
			 2008 January 0.2 0.4 1.7 2.3 1.1 0.7 
			  February 0.2 0.4 1.6 2.2 1.1 0.7 
			  March 0.2 0.4 1.6 2.2 1.1 0.7 
			  April 0.2 0.4 1.7 2.3 1.0 0.7 
			  May 0.2 0.4 1.7 2.3 1.1 0.7 
			  June 0.2 0.4 1.7 2.4 1.1 0.7 
			  July 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.3 1.0 0.7 
			  August 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.3 1.0 0.7 
			  September 0.2 0.4 1.8 2.3 1.0 0.7 
			  October 0.2 0.4 1.7 2.2 1.0 0.7 
			  November 0.2 0.4 1.6 2.1 0.9 0.6 
			  December 0.2 0.4 1.6 1.9 0.8 0.6 
			 
			 2009 January 0.2 0.4 1.6 1.9 0.8 0.6 
			  February 0.2 0.4 1.5 1.8 0.7 0.6 
			  March 0.2 0.4 1.6 1.7 0.7 0.6 
			  April 0.2 0.4 1.6 1.8 0.7 0.6 
			  May 0.2 0.4 1.7 1.8 0.8 0.6 
			  Note: Data rounded to nearest 5.  Source:  Jobcentre Plus administrative system 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2c: Percentage of jobseeker's allowance claimants by ethnicity 
			  Great Britain 
			Black or Black British - Caribbean  Black or Black British - African  Black or Black British - Other Black  Chinese or Other Ethnic Group - Chinese  Chinese or Other Ethnic Group - Other Ethnic Group  Prefer Not To Say  Unknown 
			 2007 May 3.1 2.8 0.7 0.2 2.3 8.3 1.5 
			  June 3.1 2.8 0.7 0.2 2.3 8.4 1.5 
			  July 3.1 2.8 0.7 0.2 2.2 8.7 1.5 
			  August 3.1 2.8 0.7 0.2 2.2 8.8 1.4 
			  September 3.1 2.9 0.7 0.3 2.2 8.8 1.5 
			  October 3.1 2.8 0.7 0.2 2.2 8.7 1.4 
			  November 3.1 2.8 0.7 0.2 2.2 8.6 1.4 
			  December 3.1 2.7 0.7 0.2 2.2 8.3 1.4 
			  
			 2008 January 3.0 2.6 0.7 0.2 2.1 8.3 1.4 
			  February 2.9 2.6 0.7 0.2 2.0 8.2 1.4 
			  March 3.0 2.7 0.7 0.2 2.0 8.1 1.5 
			  April 3.0 2.7 0.7 0.2 2.0 7.9 1.5 
			  May 3.0 2.7 0.7 0.2 2.0 7.7 1.5 
			  June 3.0 2.8 0.7 0.2 2.0 7.4 1.5 
			  July 3.0 2.7 0.7 0.2 1.9 7.3 1.5 
			  August 2.9 2.6 0.7 0.2 1.8 7.1 1.4 
			  September 2.9 2.6 0.7 0.2 1.8 7.0 1.4 
			  October 2.8 2.5 0.7 0.2 1.8 6.7 1.3 
			  November 2.7 2.4 0.6 0.2 1.7 6.6 1.4 
			  December 2.6 2.2 0.6 0.2 1.6 6.3 1.3 
			  
			 2009 January 2.4 2.1 0.6 0.2 1.5 6.3 1.2 
			  February 2.3 2.0 0.5 0.2 1.5 6.3 1.3 
			  March 2.3 2.0 0.6 0.2 1.5 6.2 1.3 
			  April 2.3 2.0 0.6 0.2 1.5 6.1 1.3 
			  May 2.4 2.1 0.6 0.2 1.5 6.1 1.3 
			  Note: Data rounded to nearest 5.  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lancashire

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have been claiming jobseeker's allowance in Morecambe and Lunesdale for over two years.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people have been claiming jobseekers allowance in Morecambe and Lunesdale for over two years. (288360)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. There were 10 people in Morecambe and Lunesdale claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for two years or more in June 2009.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and the claimant count, are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Lobbying: Charities

Norman Lamb: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many investigations by the Charity Commission for breaches of rules relating to political lobbying by registered charities  (a) were initiated,  (b) were completed and  (c) resulted in the application of sanctions in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the Commission to reply.
	 Letter from Andrew Hind, dated July 2009:
	As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question on how many investigations by the Charity Commission for breaches of rules relating to political lobbying by registered charities (a) were initiated, (b) were completed and (c) resulted in the application of sanctions in each of the last three years.
	It may be useful if I start by explaining the framework which the Charity Commission applies to charities and campaigning and political activity. Charity law on campaigning and political activity is set out in our published guidance Speaking Out-Guidance on Campaigning and Political Activity by Charities (CC9) which is available on our website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk. All charities must be established for exclusively charitable purposes and, as a general principle, charities may undertake campaigning and political activity, subject to the law and the terms of their governing document, in as much as it is a positive way of furthering or supporting their purposes. However, in doing so, charities must be mindful of their independence and must not engage in any form of party political activity.
	Your question is in three parts and I will deal with each part separately.
	Turning to part (a) of your question, the Charity Commission's Assessment Unit considers those complaints where it is evident that they cannot be dealt with by advice and support and which appear serious enough for us to look at more closely. The Assessment Unit determines the appropriate way to deal with complaints based on issues of risk and proportionality, and whether the issue raised falls within our regulatory remit. The following table shows how many of the cases we assessed in each of the last three financial years included issues that we categorised as political activities (issues of political lobbying would be categorised in this way):
	
		
			   Political activity cases identified at compliance assessment stage 
			 2006-07 22 
			 2007-08 30 
			 2008-09 8 
		
	
	Turning to part (b) of your question regarding completed investigations the Commission undertakes two types of investigations into concerns of non-compliance including breaches of rules around charities and campaigning and political activity. Firstly we undertake non-statutory regulatory compliance cases. These are cases where risk to the charity is limited and where it is likely that issues can be resolved through providing supervision, regulatory advice and guidance to trustees, and without the need to intervene by using our statutory powers. Secondly, in the few cases of significant risk and more serious regulatory concern, we may open a statutory inquiry under section 8 of the Charities Act 1993.
	The following table sets out the number of regulatory compliance cases and statutory inquiries that the Commission completed during that year which involved concerns about political activities.
	
		
			   Investigations-Regulatory Compliance Cases completed which included concerns about political activity  Investigations-Statutory Inquiries completed which included concerns about political activity 
			 2006-07 10 0 
			 2007-08 5 0 
			 2008-09 11 1 
		
	
	Finally, turning to part (c) of your question regarding sanctions, it is important to explain that our objective in such cases is to protect charitable assets and our actions are designed to protect these assets rather than as punitive measures.
	When we close a statutory inquiry we publish a statement of results of inquiry (SORI) on our website. We also publish reports for those regulatory compliance case investigations which meet certain criteria relating to the public interest-the criteria are published on our website at:
	www.charitycommission.gov.uk/investigations/inquiryreports/ingreps.asp
	The publication of these reports can, in itself, be a form of sanction as the findings of the investigations are put into the public domain. Nonetheless the main aim of publication is to enable other charities to better understand the work we do and to learn general lessons from the way we have dealt with particular cases. Copies of both these types of reports, if they are less than six months old, are available on the Commission's website. Older reports are available by request. If you would like a copy of any of the reports which contain issues relating to political activity we are happy to provide these to you.
	In terms of more formal sanctions, in most cases issues have been resolved through providing supervision, regulatory advice and guidance to trustees without the need to intervene by using our statutory powers. However, there has been one occasion in the last three years when we have used our statutory powers to ensure compliance in this area. We used section 19A of the Charities Act 1993 (introduced by section 20 of the Charities Act 2006) to direct the charity to carry out a governance review.
	In general, it would be unusual in this type of case for the Commission to need to use the interventionist and remedial measures which are available only in statutory inquiries, such as the freezing of bank accounts, the suspension and removal of trustees, or the appointment of interim managers.
	I hope this is helpful. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Pay: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the average annual earnings of people of working age was in  (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency,  (b) Dacorum and  (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the rate of average earnings growth was in  (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency,  (b) Dacorum and  (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell,  dated  July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what the average earnings of people of working age was in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency, (b) Dacorum and (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997 (287858) and what the rate of average earnings growth was in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency, (b) Dacorum and (c) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997. (287859)
	Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence.
	ONS's primary indicator of average earnings growth is the Average Earnings Index. As this does not produce regional estimates, the ASHE has been used. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PA YE) schemes.
	The sample sizes for more detailed geographies can be small and this affects the quality of the resulting estimates, which are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	Estimates for people of working age would only be available at disproportionate cost, but we have provided median gross weekly earnings estimates and annual percentage changes for the specified geographies for full-time and part-time employees.
	
		
			  Median gross weekly pay (£) for full-time employee jobs( a) 
			   Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency  Dacorum local authority  Hertfordshire 
			   Median  Annual percentage change  Median  Annual percentage change  Median  Annual percentage change 
			 1997 *364.0 n/a *358.1 n/a 352.7 n/a 
			 1998 *385.5 5.9 *377.6 5.4 374.3 6.1 
			 1999 *384.3 -0.3 *377.8 0.0 385.8 3.0 
			 2000 *438,7 14.2 *399.3 5.7 395.5 2.5 
			 2001 *457.2 4.2 *448.1 12.2 429.1 8.5 
			 2002 *475.6 4.0 *471.7 5.3 445.5 3.8 
			 2003 *492.1 3.5 *479.9 1.7 457.9 2.8 
			 2004(b) *499.5 1.5 *479.4 -0.1 478.2 8.3 
			 2004(c) *487.4 n/a *475.2 n/a 469.1 n/a 
			 2005 *478.4 -1.8 *479.0 0.8 483.3 3.0 
			 2006(d) *516.3 7.9 *502.5 4.9 490.6 1.5 
			 2008(e) *512.0 n/a *499.3 n/a 486.6 n/a 
			 2007 *543.9 6.2 *535.6 7.3 488.7 0.4 
			 2008 *553.9 1.8 *524.1 -2.1 514.7 5.3 
		
	
	
		
			  Median gross weekly pay (£) for part-time employee jobs( a) 
			   Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency  Dacorum local authority  Hertfordshire 
			   Median  Annual percentage change  Median  Annual percentage change  Median  Annual percentage change 
			 1997 **101.3 n/a **92.9 n/a *96.9 n/a 
			 1998 **117.8 16.3 **114.9 23.7 *107.8 11.2 
			 1999 **125.0 6.1 **114.0 -0.9 *115.4 7.1 
			 2000 **126.1 0.9 *126.2 10.7 117.2 1.6 
			 2001 **123.4 -2.2 **128.8 2.1 *116.6 -0.6 
			 2002 **135.0 9.4 *137.7 6.9 128.4 10.2 
			 2003 **139.5 3.3 **146.0 6.1 124.3 -3.2 
			 2004(b) **148.8 6.7 **148.1 1.4 134.7 11.2 
			 2004(c) **151.7 n/a *149.6 n/a *133.5 n/a 
			 2005 **129.3 -14.8 **130.8 -12.6 130.3 -2.4 
			 2006(d) **146.9 13.7 **154.3 18.0 148.3 13.8 
			 2006(e) **147.7 n/a **154.6 n/a 148.5 n/a 
			 2007 **160.0 8.3 155.8 0.8 145.5 -2.0 
			 2008 **144.8 -9.5 **143.9 -7.7 143.7 -1.2 
			  Notes: (a) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (b) 2004 results excluding supplementary survey for comparison with 2003 (c) 2004 results including supplementary surveys designed to improve coverage of the survey (for more information see National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk). (d) 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2005 (e) 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2007  Guide to quality:  The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV - for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.  Key  CV = 5% * CV 5% and =l0% ** CV  10% and =20% x CV  20%  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics. 1997 - 2008

Personal Income: Wakefield

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average wage for  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time (i) male and (ii) female employees is; and what the average household income of working age households was in the Wakefield local authority area in (A) 1997 and (B) 2008.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average wage for  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time (i) male and (ii) female employees is; and what the average household income of working age households was in the Wakefield local authority area in (A) cash and (B) real terms in (1) 1997 and (2) 2008. (288664)
	Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. I attach a table showing the median gross weekly earnings for full-time, male full-time, female full-time, part-time, male part-time and female part-time employees for the Wakefield local authority area in years 1997 and 2008.
	Information regarding the average household income of working age households is not available for the Wakefield local authority area.
	
		
			  Median gross weekly pay-for employee jobs( a) : Wakefield local authority, 1997 and 2008 
			  £ 
			   1997  2008 
			 Full-time 317 *450 
			 Male full-time 342 501 
			 Female full-time *248 *334 
			 Part-time **72 *143 
			 Male part-time **50 x 
			 Female part-time **72 *144 
			 (a) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.  Guide to quality The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.  Key CV = 5% * CV 5% and =10% ** CV  10% and =20% x CV 20%  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics. 1997and 2008

Population Statistics

James Clappison: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the most recent projections made by the Office for National Statistics are of population densities in  (a) the UK,  (b) England,  (c) Scotland,  (d) Wales and  (e) Northern Ireland for (i) the earliest date for which such projections have been made (ii) 2031, (iii) 2056 and (iv) the most distant date for which such projections have been made; what estimate has been made of the population density of each such area in 2009; and what information the Office for National Statistics holds on the population density of other EU member states for the purposes of comparison with its projections for the UK.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what most recent projections made by the Office for National Statistics are of population densities in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland for (i) the earliest date for which such projections have been made (ii) 2031, (iii) 2056 and (iv) the latest date for which such projections have been made; what estimate has been made of the population density of each such area in 2009; what information the Office for National Statistics holds on the population density of other EU Member States for the purposes of comparison with its projections for the UK. (288409)
	Projected population densities can be calculated for any year from the published projected total population for that year and the relevant land area. The estimated population density for mid-2006 and projected population densities derived from the 2006 population base are given in the table below for the years 2009, 2031, 2056, 2081 and 2106.
	The next set of national population projections, based on the mid-2008 population estimates, are due for publication by the Office for National Statistics on 21 October 2009.
	
		
			  Projected population density of UK and constituent countries for selected years 2006 to 2106 
			  Persons/sq km 
			   2006  2009  2031  2056  2081  2106 
			 United Kingdom 250 255 293 324 352 379 
			 England 390 398 464 521 574 626 
			 Wales 143 145 159 165 168 171 
			 Scotland 66 66 69 67 64 61 
			 Northern Ireland 128 132 147 153 152 150 
			  Note: Population densities for 2006 are derived from mid-year population estimates, whilst those for 2009 onwards are derived from the 2006-based population projections. All densities have been calculated assuming constant land area for the UK and its constituent countries into the future.  Source: Office for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency 
		
	
	National population projections are produced for up to 100 years ahead, but only published for up to 75 years ahead, and are available from the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8519
	However, long-term projections should be treated with great caution. Population projections become increasingly uncertain the further they are carried forward, particularly for smaller geographic areas.
	Eurostat publishes estimates of population densities for all EU countries up to 2007-see table tps0003 under main demographic indicators at:
	http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/population/data/main_tables

Public Bodies

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 5 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 93-99W, on public bodies, which of the bodies classified as public corporations in  (a) 1996 and  (b) 2008 were deemed to be part of the Civil Service.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, July 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question pursuant to the Answer of 5 May 2009, Official Report, columns 93-99W, on public bodies, which of the bodies classified as public corporations in (a) 1996 and (b) 2008 were deemed to be part of the Civil Service. (287279)
	The requested information is attached at Annex A. The list for 1996 comprises public corporations not included in the Answer of 5 May 2009, as further information has recently become available.
	 Annex A
	 Public Corporations deemed to be part of the Civil Service in 1996
	1. Central Office of Information;
	2. Companies House;
	3. Driving Standards Agency;
	4. Fire Service College;
	5. Land Registry;
	6. Meteorological Office;
	7. Patent Office;
	8. Registers of Scotland;
	9. Royal Mint;
	10. UK Hydrographic Office.
	 Public Corporations deemed to be part of the Civil Service in 2008
	1. Central Office of Information;
	2. Companies House;
	3. Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory;
	4. Defence Support Group;
	5. Driving Standards Agency;
	6. Export Credit Guarantee Department;
	7. Fire Service College;
	8. Land Registry;
	9. Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency;
	10. Meteorological Office;
	11. OGC Buying Solutions;
	12. Ordnance Survey;
	13. Registers of Scotland;
	14. Royal Mint;
	15. The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre;
	16. UK Hydrographic Office;
	17. UK Intellectual Property Office; previously the Patent Office;
	18. Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Trade Unions

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 20 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1479W, on trades union, what checks are undertaken by the Cabinet Office on whether office working space provided to trade union representatives is used for political activities.

Angela Smith: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 20 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1479W.

Ulcers: Death

Paul Burstow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many deaths there were in respect of which pressure ulcers were listed on the death certificate as a contributory cause of death in each region in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths there were where pressure ulcers were listed on the death certificate as a contributory cause of death in each region in each of the last five years. (287683)
	The attached table provides the number of deaths where pressure ulcer was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, for government office regions in England, for 2004 to 2008 (the latest year available).
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of deaths with any mention of pressure ulcer on the death certificate( 1) , Government office regions( 2) , England, 2004-08( 3,4) 
			  Deaths (persons) 
			  Region  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 North East 50 68 51 71 44 
			 North West 138 160 139 143 160 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 69 79 78 69 64 
			 East Midlands 75 85 74 95 86 
			 West Midlands 127 141 122 125 107 
			 East of England 122 122 128 136 102 
			 London 103 114 142 140 126 
			 South East 132 137 133 148 155 
			 South West 59 75 68 69 73 
			 England 875 981 935 996 917 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code L89 (Decubitus ulcer, bedsore, plaster ulcer or pressure ulcer) where it appeared anywhere on the death certificate. (2) Based on boundaries as of 2009. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. (4) Figures for deaths registered in 2008 are provisional.

Unemployment

Theresa May: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what information her Department holds on the number of people who were  (a) unemployed and  (b) long-term unemployed between (i) 1980 and 1985 and (ii) 1990 and 1995, by (A) qualification and (B) previous occupation;
	(2)  how many people were  (a) unemployed and  (b) long-term unemployed in each year between (i) 1980 and 1985 and (ii) 1990 and 1995, by (A) qualification and (B) previous occupation.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking:
	what information her Department hold on the number of people who were (a) unemployed and (b) long-term unemployed between (i) 1980-1985 and (ii) 1990-1995, by (A) qualification and (B) occupation. (286747)
	what information her Department holds on the number of people who were (a) unemployed and (b) long-term unemployed between (i) 1980-1985 and (ii) 1990-1995, by (A) qualification and (B) previous occupation. (286748)
	how many people were (a) unemployed and (b) long-term unemployed in each year between (i) 1980-85 and (ii) 1990-95, by (A) qualification and (B) occupation. (286749)
	Estimates on the number of people who were unemployed by qualification are not available for 1980 to 1985 and 1990 to 1995. Estimates for unemployed people by occupation in last job are available for 1992 to 1995 and are provided in the attached table. The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. This is assessed in a footnote to the table.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. They are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics Statistical Bulletin, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Unemployed people aged 16 and over by occupation in last job and duration of unemployment, three month periods ending September, 1992-95, Great Britain, 1992-94; United Kingdom, 1995, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Occupation in last job( 1)  Unemployed( 2)  Long-term unemployed( 3) 
			 1992 Managers and senior officials 195 63 
			  Professional occupations 79 18 
			  Associate professional and technical 123 37 
			  Administrative and technical 288 91 
			  Skilled trades occupations 491 194 
			  Personal service occupations 204 65 
			  Sales and customer service occupations 185 54 
			  Process, plant and machine operatives 328 129 
			  Elementary occupations 358 166 
			  Total(4) 2,808 1,039 
			 
			 1993 Managers and senior officials 204 84 
			  Professional occupations 93 28 
			  Associate professional and technical 132 37 
			  Administrative and technical 297 101 
			  Skilled trades occupations 497 239 
			  Personal service occupations 213 79 
			  Sales and customer service occupations 196 68 
			  Process, plant and machine operatives 350 160 
			  Elementary occupations 339 159 
			  Total(4) 2,887 1,205 
			 
			 1994 Managers and senior officials 182 75 
			  Professional occupations 87 25 
			  Associate professional and technical 121 41 
			  Administrative and technical 249 93 
			  Skilled trades occupations 386 192 
			  Personal service occupations 207 78 
			  Sales and customer service occupations 171 58 
			  Process, plant and machine operatives 305 146 
			  Elementary occupations 341 170 
			  Total(4) 2,644 1,123 
			 
			 1995(5) Managers and senior officials 165 68 
			  Professional occupations 86 28 
			  Associate professional and technical 109 37 
			  Administrative and technical 251 79 
			  Skilled trades occupations 332 171 
			  Personal service occupations 197 72 
			  Sales and customer service occupations 183 56 
			  Process, plant and machine operatives 310 151 
			  Elementary occupations 303 132 
			  Total(4) 2,535 1,028 
			 (1 )Standard Occupational Classification 1990. (2 )Includes those whose duration of unemployment was not known. (3 )Includes those unemployed for 12 months or more. (4 )Includes those whose occupation was not known. (5 )Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described below:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV - for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness * 0 ≤ CV5 Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels mobile home sites etc.)

JUSTICE

Aylesbury Prison: Injuries

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many incidents of self-injury have been recorded in Aylesbury prison in each month since January 2009; and how many such injuries have required hospital treatment.

Maria Eagle: The latest recorded self-harm figures available are for 2008. NOMS records data across a diverse range of incident types. These data are subject to reporting lags and other issues inherent in any large scale administrative database. Therefore NOMS policy is not to provide current year-to-date figures.
	In 2008, there were 265 incidents of self-harm at HMYOI Aylesbury. Of these incidents, six required treatment in external hospital. These figures are given in aggregate form only. NOMS also has a policy not to provide breakdowns of data, particularly of prison-level data, to the extent where the anonymity of individuals may be compromised.
	The National Offender Management Service has a broad integrated and evidence-based prisoner suicide prevention and self harm management strategy that seeks to reduce the distress of all those in prison. This encompasses a wide spectrum of prison and Department of Health work around such issues as mental health, substance misuse and resettlement. Any prisoner identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm is cared for using the assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) procedures. Most self harm is not directly life threatening, but nevertheless can be extremely distressing for those who have to deal with it. A prisoner focussed care planning system for those at risk has helped prisons manage self harm. There are no easy answers to managing self harming behaviour but we remain committed to finding ways to manage it.

Bail Accommodation and Support Service

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in which parliamentary constituency each Bail Accommodation and Support Service property  (a) opened and  (b) closed since 12 January 2009 is located.

Jack Straw: As at 10 July there have been 28 bail accommodation and support service properties opened and 10 properties closed since 12 January 2009.
	
		
			  (a) Bail accommodation and support service properties opened since 12 January 2009 
			  Constituency  Date  o pened 
			 Bedford 14 January 2009 
			 Southampton Test 16 January 2009 
			 Southend West 20 January 2009 
			 Rochford and Southend East 20 January 2009 
			 Ipswich 29 January 2009 
			 Luton South 4 February 2009 
			 Reading West 9 February 2009 
			 Portsmouth South 9 February 2009 
			 Hazel Grove 12 February 2009 
			 Poplar and Canning Town 16 February 2009 
			 North East Milton Keynes 16 February 2009 
			 Erith and Thamesmead 26 February 2009 
			 Bracknell 19 March 2009 
			 Nottingham South 20 March 2009 
			 Cardiff South and Penarth 20 March 2009 
			 Folkestone and Hythe 27 March 2009 
			 Slough 30 March 2009 
			 North Thanet 30 March 2009 
			 Stretford and Urmston 8 April 2009 
			 Newport East 9 April 2009 
			 Cardiff West 21 April 2009 
			 Northampton North 30 April 2009 
			 Slough 2 June 2009 
			 Swansea East 17 June 2009 
			 Carlisle 23 June 2009 
			 Carlisle 23 June 2009 
			 Worcester 24 June 2009 
			 Truro and St. Austell 8 July 2009 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Bail accommodation and support service properti es closed since 12 January 2009 
			  Constituency  Date opened  Date closed 
			 Lewisham East 20 September 2007 28 February 2009 
			 Reading East 31 August 2007 12 March 2009 
			 Portsmouth South 27 June 2007 15 March 2009 
			 Luton North 28 September 2007 19 March 2009 
			 Cardiff West 2 February 2007 24 April 2009 
			 Lewisham East 30 March 2009 13 May 2009 
			 Newport West 29 August 2007 20 May 2009 
			 Swansea East 8 July 2008 7 June 2009 
			 Northampton North 25 October 2007 12 June 2009 
			 Nottingham East 11 October 2007 13 June 2009

Damian McBride

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what date he last met Mr. Damian McBride in the course of his official duties.

Jack Straw: We can find no record of any meeting with Mr. McBride connected with my official duties.

Departmental Data Protection

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) attempts and  (b) successful attempts were made to gain unauthorised access to each (i) database and (ii) ICT system run by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Ministry of Justice was established in May 2007. The Ministry has robust security measures in place to protect the information held on its computer systems. One unsuccessful attempt was made to gain unauthorised access to the Money Claim On Line System in 2008. The integrity of the system and information held on it was not compromised.

Departmental Databases

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information databases his Department  (a) maintain and  (b) uses which do not contain personal information.

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which databases managed by his Department and its agencies hold personal information on members of the public; on what date each such database become operational; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Ministry of Justice maintains a large number of major databases covering different aspects of the justice system, as well as smaller database systems which support local business areas.
	The main databases, which are maintained centrally, are as follows:
	CaseMan
	FamilyMan
	e-Diary
	Money Claim On Line
	Crest
	Juror
	Juror Summoning Bureau
	eXchanging Hearing Information By Internet Technology
	ProbateMan
	ARIA (Asylum and Immigration system)
	Service Upgrade Project (pilot)
	Funds Accounting System
	Receivership Accounting System
	Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal system
	Generic Appeals Processing System 2
	Mental Health Tribunal
	ETHOS (Employment Tribunal system)
	CLAIMS (Criminal Injuries and Compensation Panel system)
	MERIS (Office of the Public Guardian system)
	ORACLE financials (General Ledger, Supplier database, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets)
	Local Fees database
	CHRIMSON (HR system)
	Occupational Health, Counselling and Screening Services
	Business Management System
	Magistrates Courts databases
	Libra application
	Trust Accounting and Banking System
	BACCHUS (Bankruptcy case management system)
	Centralised Attachment of Earnings
	County Court Bulk Centre
	Commercial Court
	Electronic Records Management
	Judicial Database
	Management Information System
	Tax Tribunal Remuneration
	Decree Absolute System
	Parental Responsibility
	Supreme Court Costs Office System
	Wardship System
	Crown Office Information Network System
	Life Imprisonment Minimum Term
	Payment of Legal Aid Remuneration
	Case Recording System
	RECAP (Civil Appeals Case Management)
	CASREC (Public Guardian Office Case Recording)
	CACTUS (Criminal Appeals Case Recording)
	 LIDS (Local Inmate Database System)
	IIS (Inmate Information System)
	P-NOMIS
	OASYS
	SIS (Security Intelligence System)
	Phoenix
	National Intelligence Unit
	APVU (Assisted Prison Visitors Unit)
	Prisoner Location Service
	Pin Phone
	PSIMON
	Lifers Service
	Branston Staff Files
	Branston IRMS Service
	ROWD MIS
	Construction Unit Service
	ESS Textile Service
	DGCU Service
	Accommodation and Occupancy
	Registered Intermediaries database
	Court Appearance Database
	PROGRESS
	XHIBIT Portal
	CJS Exchange Links
	CJ MIS
	FOI database
	Sharepoint
	Mandatory Drugs Testing Database
	Accommodation and Occupancy Database
	4Projects Database
	Delius
	ICMS Case Management System
	CRAM Case Management System
	IAPS
	HR Data warehouse
	Most of the databases contain some personal information.
	The Ministry is committed to ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and security (in accordance with HMG policy) of personal information held within the Department's systems. Because of the potential security threat, it would not be appropriate to disclose the detailed information requested.

Departmental Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what categories of personal information about members of the public are contained on each relevant database managed by his Department and its agencies; on what date each category of information was first collected; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what categories of personal information on members of the public will be held on each database expected to become operational in the next five years and which will be managed by his Department or one of its agencies; what estimate he has made of the likely number of individuals' details each such database will hold when fully operational; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what databases which will be managed by his Department or one of its agencies and which will contain personal information are  (a) under construction and  (b) expected to go live in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Ministry of Justice maintains 82 major databases which support different aspects of the justice system. These databases are of varying size and complexity and cover a wide range of activities, for example, enabling processing and tracking of cases through the court system, scheduling appointments, and tracking systems for monitoring departmental correspondence. Any personal data stored on databases are subject to the Data Protection Act.
	Following publication of the cross Government Data Handling Review in June 2008, new projects and programmes that hold significant amounts of personal data are obliged to conduct privacy impact assessments.
	Detailed information relating to individual databases is held within individual projects and business areas and not available centrally. This information could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

Drugs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies spent on the implementation of drugs policies in each category in each of the last 10 years.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice delivers a broad range of work in relation to drugs, primarily through the National Offender Management Service (NOMS).
	Most of the expenditure for this work is part of prison and probation services general funding and therefore, it is not possible to accurately disaggregate the costs. NOMS is currently undertaking a specification, benchmarking and costing exercise which will provide more accurate costing of the interventions delivered.

Elections Bill

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment has been made of whether the new provisions in the Political Parties and Elections Bill on non-resident donors are compatible with  (a) European Union law and  (b) the European Convention on Human Rights.

Jack Straw: When legislating, the Government are always mindful of the requirements of EU law and the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. Having considered those requirements, as we are obliged to do, the Government are satisfied that the provisions of the Political Parties and Elections Bill are compatible with all relevant rights and freedoms.

Elections: Campaigns

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether candidate freepost election mailings in European and Parliamentary elections are delivered to households who have registered with the Mailing Preference Service a desire not to receive unsolicited mailings.

Michael Wills: Candidate freepost election mailings can be delivered to all households for European and Parliamentary elections. Registering with the Mailing Preference Service does not apply to election mailings. This provides for a level playing field for all candidates and ensures that those standing for election have an opportunity to make their policies known to the electorate.

Electorate

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the proportion of  (a) armed forces personnel and  (b) members of the public who are registered to vote.

Michael Wills: No assessment has been made of the proportion of  (a) armed forces personnel and  (b) members of the public who are registered to vote. This is because the Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not have information on the proportion of the public who are registered to vote, as not everyone who is usually resident is entitled to vote. The total number of full-time armed forces personnel at 1 May 2009 was 194,280.
	ONS figures reveal that as of 1 December 2008 the number of armed forces personnel who registered by way of a service declaration was 21,928. Not all armed forces electors, however, register as service voters. They may either register as an ordinary elector, an overseas elector or a service elector. The Ministry of Defence Service Voting Survey 2008 indicates that 75 per cent. of respondents were registered as ordinary voters.
	The Government are keen to support armed forces personnel in registering to vote. In order to increase service registration rates, the Government have recently announced that we will increase the service voter declaration period from three years to five years, which we hope will encourage more service personnel to register. We aim to bring forward this change in secondary legislation as soon as possible.
	The statistics for the proportion of members of the public registered are similarly difficult to calculate because ONS figures on total population do not show whether those people are eligible electors. ONS reports that the total number of local government electors registered in the UK on 1 December 2008 stood at 46,147,877.

Firearms: Sentencing

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what percentage of people in each age group who were convicted of carrying an illegal firearm under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 received the mandatory sentence provided for by that Act in each of the last five years; and what the average length of sentence was of those convicted of carrying an illegal firearm under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in each of the last four years.

Jack Straw: The requested information is found in the following table.
	
		
			  Persons sentenced for firearms offences liable for mandatory minimum custodial sentence as prescribed by the Criminal Justice Act 2003( 1) 
			2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Juveniles(5) Total sentenced 69 60 36 17 16 
			  Immediate custody 10 12 9 8 7 
			  Received mandatory minimum(3) at least three years n/a(2) n/a(2) 4 5 2 
			  Percentage of offenders sentenced receiving mandatory minimum n/a n/a 11.1 29.4 12.5 
			  ACSL(4) 11.2 22.7 26.0 29.8 30.6 
			
			 Young adults Total sentenced 121 122 59 46 40 
			  Immediate custody 23 35 34 31 32 
			  Received mandatory minimum-at least three years(6) n/a(2) n/a(2) 7 14 15 
			  Received mandatory minimum-at least five years(6) n/a(2) n/a(2) 18 10 9 
			  Percentage of offenders sentenced receiving mandatory minimum n/a n/a 42.4 52.2 60.0 
			  ACSL(4) 18.6 39.5 45.5 43.6 42.1 
			
			 Adults Total sentenced 713 565 294 220 208 
			  Immediate custody 183 206 199 173 171 
			  Received mandatory minimum(7)-at least five years n/a(2) n/a(2) 124 126 132 
			  Percentage of offenders sentenced receiving mandatory minimum n/a n/a 42.2 57.3 63.5 
			  ACSL(4) 29.3 35.3 48.6 54.0 56.3 
			 (1) Offences under Firearms Act 1968 of: Possessing or distributing prohibited weapons or ammunition, or Possessing or distributing firearm disguised as other object. (2) The mandatory is only applicable for offences that occurred on or after 26 January 2004. (3) Mandatory minimum for persons aged under 18 at time of offence and for offences taking place after 26 January 2004 is three years. (4) Average custodial sentence length (months) excludes life and indeterminate sentences. (5) Not all of those in this age bracket would have been eligible for the mandatory minimum as they may have been under 16 at the time of the offence. (6) Mandatory minimum is dependant on age at the time of the offence data held by the Ministry of Justice only shows age at time of sentence so offenders in this age group could have been liable for three or five years, offenders have not been double counted. (7) Mandatory minimum for persons aged over 18 at time of offence and for offences taking place after 26 January 2004 is five years.  Notes: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source:  OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice. Ref: PQ(OMSAS) 722 (8/07/2009). 
		
	
	These figures may also be found in the answer given to Dominic Grieve on 18 December 2008,  Official Report, column 1014W. Data for 2008 will not be available until 'Sentencing Statistics 2008' is published later in the year.
	The Criminal Justice Act 2003 prescribed mandatory minimum custodial sentences for the offences of: Possessing or distributing prohibited firearms or ammunition and Possessing or distributing firearm disguised as other object where the offences were committed on or after 26 January 2004.
	The minimum sentence it set was three years where the offender was aged between 16 and 18 at the time of the offence and five years for offenders aged over 18 at the time of the offence.
	Data held by the Ministry of Justice cannot determine the date the offence took place or the age of the offender at the time of the offence rather it is the date the sentence was passed and the age of the offender at the time of sentencing that is held.
	Data provided in this answer shows all offenders given the mandatory minimum from 2005-07, while all offenders sentenced in 2005 may not have been eligible for the mandatory minimum it is not possible to separately identify those cases that occurred prior to 26 January 2004.
	Those offenders in the juvenile (10-17 years old) age band are all assumed to be eligible for the three year mandatory minimum, similarly those in the adult age band (21+) are all assumed to be eligible for the five year mandatory minimum, those offenders in the young adult age band (18-20) could potentially have been eligible for either minimum sentence so the numbers given between three and five years and over five years have been shown separately.

Freedom of Information

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received on the time taken by the Information Commissioner's office to investigate complaints relating to refusals by bodies to provide information requested by applicants under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Michael Wills: I have received correspondence from members of the public and from hon. and right hon. Members on this matter. I have also responded to Parliamentary Questions on this subject. In addition, the Justice and Constitution Select Committees have commented on the timeliness of the Information Commissioner's Office's handling of freedom of information cases.
	For this financial year, the Government have identified additional funding of £500,000 for the Information Commissioner's Office's freedom of information work, over and above the baseline funding of £5 million. We are discussing with the Office how it can use this additional funding most effectively to reduce the number of outstanding cases. In addition, seven secondees from central government departments are working for the ICO to help clear the freedom of information cases at their home departments' expense.

Freedom of Information

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which organisations have responded to his Department's consultation on extending the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to cover additional bodies.

Michael Wills: On 16 July, the Government published their response to the consultation on extending the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to cover additional bodies through a section 5 order. Copies have been made available in the Libraries of both Houses, the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office and on the Ministry of Justice website. Annex B of the report lists all of the respondents to the consultation.

HM Courts Service: Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was paid in bonuses to  (a) directors,  (b) senior managers,  (c) specialist and delivery managers and  (d) executive support and administration staff in HM Courts Service in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: Non-consolidated performance payments are available for all staff in Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS), as they are for all staff across the Ministry of Justice.
	HMCS was created on the 1 April 2005 and the first reporting year ended on 31 March 2006. Non-consolidated performance payments are paid following the conclusion of the reporting year and the first non-consolidated performance payments for staff in HMCS were paid in the financial year 2006-07.
	HMCS does not categorise its staff as asked in the question and to extract the data from Ministry of Justice records in relation to HMCS staff below the Senior Civil Service would involve disproportionate cost.
	We have included all Senior Civil Servants within HMCS in providing the answer for the category 'Directors'. The figures for the last three years are as set out in the table:
	
		
			£ 
			 2006-07 Senior Civil Servants 358,250 
			 2007-08 Senior Civil Servants 389,000 
			 2008-09 Senior Civil Servants 345,500

Homicide: Rape

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) murders and  (b) rapes were committed by offenders subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by MAPPA level.

Jack Straw: The following table shows the total number of offenders living in the community in England and Wales who were charged during the period in question with a serious further offence (SFO) allegedly committed by them at a time when their management was overseen via multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) meetings. This will include all charges of  (a) murder and  (b) rape but also those for other serious sexual and violent offences. The data is aggregated from the MAPPA annual reports produced in each of the 42 areas of England and Wales and it is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, to identify retrospectively which relate to murder and rape charges only.
	The table relates to those offenders managed at MAPPA levels 2 and 3 at the point of charge. Offenders at level 1 are those who are eligible for MAPPA meeting oversight but whose risk management plan does not currently require it; offenders move between levels depending on the requirements of the risk management plan.
	Over the years in question, between 0.4 per cent. and 0.6 per cent. of offenders subject to active multi-agency management have been charged with serious further offences.
	
		
			  England and Wales  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Total MAPPA managed offenders (i.e. level 2 and 3) (1)2,152 12,766 13,688 15,291 12,806 
			 SFOs at level 2 n/a 47 50 69 72 
			 SFOs at level 3 26 32 12 13 7 
			 (1) Reflects only level 3 total. Data at level 2 not collected.

Judicial Appointments Commission: Newspaper Press

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many newspaper advertisements the Judicial Appointments Commission placed in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

Jack Straw: In the 12 month period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, the judicial appointments commission placed 35 newspaper advertisements which cost £81,674.57 excluding VAT.

Judiciary: Pensions

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the cost of the Judicial Pensions Scheme in each of the next 10 years.

Jack Straw: No estimate of costs over that period have been made. Forecasts of actual costs of pension benefits payable and lump sums based on current assumptions of inflation and salary costs for the next five years are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Salary costs (£) 
			 2009-10 75,685,000 
			 2010-11 76,028,000 
			 2011-12 77,928,000 
			 2012-13 80,829,000 
			 2013-14 83,445,000 
		
	
	Forecasts of costings on an accruals basis are only available for the next two years and are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Forecast of costings (£) 
			   Current service cost  Interest cost 
			 2009-10 108,000,000 110,000,000 
			 2010-11 111,000,000 119,000,000 
		
	
	To obtain figures for further years would require assessments to be made on assumptions and calculations made by the scheme actuary and the costs to do so would be disproportionate.

Legal Aid

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many legal aid awards were made available to defendants with incomes of over  (a) £50,000 and  (b) £100,000 per annum in the last year for which figures are available.

Jack Straw: In 2008-09, two defendants in the magistrates courts with earnings over £50,000 and one defendant with earnings over £100,000 were awarded legal aid. All three were awarded under hardship review which provides a safety net for those with high incomes who are genuinely unable to pay their defence costs. In most circumstances applicants with an income in excess of £22,325 will not be granted legal aid in the magistrates courts.
	The Legal Services Commission is unable to answer the question in respect of defendants in the Crown court. In the Crown court, provided applicants pass the Interests of Justice test, they are currently entitled to legal aid regardless of income, and since no income test is applied to applicants, it is not known how many applicants (defendants) have incomes in excess of £50,000 or £100,000. However, we will be introducing means testing in Crown courts from January 2010 and rolling it out across England and Wales by June 2010.
	No awards have been made to applicants in civil proceedings as there is a gross income cap of £31,884.

Legal Services Commission: Finance

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to page 78 of the Legal Services Commission's Annual Report 2008-09, what the expenditure was which was reported as miscellaneous; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Legal Services Commission's annual report for 2008-09 has not yet been laid before Parliament.
	In 2007-08, the miscellaneous expenditure reported on page 78 of the annual report was £460,000. The vast majority of this (£457,000) related to an exercise carried out to catch up on certain payments to solicitors which should have been made but had not. These payments were against costs orders, awarded by the judge at the end of a case, which included costs incurred prior to the grant of legal aid. These costs are only payable when recovered from the opponent of the legally aided person.

Offensive Weapons: Convictions

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what percentage of people aged  (a) under 16,  (b) between 16 and 18 and  (c) over 18 years old who were convicted of possession of a knife in 2007 received a fine; and what the (i) average, (ii) smallest and (iii) largest such fine was in that year.

Jack Straw: The requested information is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: Offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon resulting in a fine( 1,2)  by offender age group,  England and Wales, 2007 
			  Age band  Number of offences receiving a fine  Total number of offences receiving a caution or a sentence  Percentage offences receiving a fine 
			 10 to 15 year olds 9 3,128 * 
			 16 and 17 56 3,860 1 
			 18 and over(3) 1,187 21,350 6 
			 (1) As recorded by the police on the police national computer. (2) The figures are a count of offences rather than offenders. Where an offender has been sentenced for several possession offences each sentence has been counted. (3) Adults are classed as offenders aged 18 and over, juveniles are those aged 10-17. * Indicates that one or more of the comparative numbers are less than 50. For small numbers this could give misleading percentage changes. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Minimum, maximum and average fine amounts( 1)  for the possession of a knife or offensive weapon, England and Wales, 2007 
			   £ 
			 Minimum fine amount 10 
			 Maximum fine amount 2,000 
			 Average(2) fine amount 156 
			 (1) As recorded by the police on the police national computer. (2) There were six offences that were given a fine but without a recorded fine amount, these were removed from the average. 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer (PNC), which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	PNC data have been used here rather than court data, which is the usual source of published sentencing statistics. The PNC data provide more up to date figures ahead of the finalised annual court data and was used for the Ministry of Justice's publication 'Knife Crime Sentencing: Quarterly Brief' published on 12 March 2009 and available from:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/knife-crime-sentencing.htm

Operation Safeguard: Billing

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has been invoiced by each police force in respect of costs incurred under Operation Safeguard in each month of 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Police cells have not been used since 22 September 2008 and no police cells have been on stand by since the end of October 2008.

Political Parties

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether an impact assessment, including a small firms impact assessment, will be made in relation to the new provisions in the Political Parties and Elections Bill on non-resident donors.

Jack Straw: Impact assessments for all substantive provisions in the Political Parties and Elections Bill, including the new provisions requiring a declaration as to taxation status of individual donors, will be published at Royal Assent. The new provisions relating to taxation status relate only to donations made by individuals and do not impose or reduce costs on business. There is thus no requirement for a small firms impact assessment to be conducted in relation to these provisions.

Political Parties

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his timetable is for consultation with other political parties on the scope for further amendments to the provisions in the Political Parties and Elections Bill on non-resident donors.

Jack Straw: The Government have circulated revised versions of the amendments to the taxation status provisions in the Political Parties and Elections Bill to Opposition spokespeople and others with an interest ahead of further parliamentary consideration.

Political Parties

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the provisions of the Political Parties and Elections Bill on non-resident donors will place restrictions on overseas residents campaigning in UK elections.

Jack Straw: The amendments tabled by the Government to the Political Parties and Elections Bill on taxation status will restrict donations above £7,500 in a calendar year from an individual who is not resident, ordinarily resident and domiciled in the United Kingdom for income tax purposes.
	Section 52(l)(g) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 states that
	the provision by any individual of his own services which he provides voluntarily in his own time and free of charge
	should not be regarded as a donation. Therefore a non-resident individual who campaigns on behalf of a party voluntarily, in his own free time and free of charge would not be required to be resident, ordinarily resident and domiciled in the United Kingdom for income tax purposes.
	Section 50(2)(f) of the 2000 Act states that
	the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the party (including the services of any person)
	should be regarded as a donation.

Political Parties: Finance

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of implementing the recommendation on introducing tax relief for small donations to political parties made in the Sixth Report of the Committee for Standards in Public Life.

Michael Wills: The Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL), entitled The Funding of Political Parties in the United Kingdom, recommended that tax relief should be introduced on donations to political parties, capped at a level of £500 per donor per year.
	The Government's response to the CSPL's Fifth Report said
	Tax relief would amount to general state aid by another route. A tax-relief scheme would be expensive for the Inland Revenue and political parties to administer relative to the likely level of take-up. Furthermore, the Government has to balance the loss of revenue (likely to be upwards of £4 or £5 million a year against other spending priorities.
	(The funding of political parties in the United Kingdom: The Government's proposals for legislation in response to the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, page 33, paragraph 6.3).
	The Government have not made any further estimate of the likely cost of introducing tax relief for small donations to political parties. Under the legislative framework set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, recipients of donations are not required to record details of any donations received below the level of £200. It is therefore difficult to know with any accuracy how many such donations occur in a given year and thus what the cost of providing tax relief on such donations would be likely to be.

Prisoner Escapes

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inmates who escaped from prison in each year since 1979 remain at large.

Jack Straw: Escapes from prison have been falling for over a decade and 2008-09 saw the lowest level of prison escapes since centralised recording of these incidents began. The data in the table show the number of prisoners who have escaped from prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 12 years and those who remain unlawfully at large. Figures on prisoners unlawfully at large following an escape are not available centrally before this period and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Escapes of prisoners by year from prisons in England and Wales showing those remaining unlawfully at large 
			  Number 
			   Escaped prisoners  Offender remaining at large 
			 1997-98 23 0 
			 1998-99 28 2 
			 1999-2000 30 1 
			 2000-01 11 0 
			 2001-02 15 0 
			 2002-03 5 1 
			 2003-04 10 1 
			 2004-05 12 0 
			 2005-06 3 0 
			 2006-07 2 0 
			 2007-08 4 1 
			 2008-09 1 0 
			  Notes:  1. There has not been an escape of a category A prisoner since 1995.  2. Figures on those unlawfully at large following an escape are not available centrally prior to 1997 and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.  3. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. 
		
	
	Figures on escapes and a range of other prison performance statistics are available at:
	http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/assets/documents/10004423prison_escapes_jan09.pdf

Prisoners

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners held in a cell designed for two people shared their cell with two or more other prisoners in each prison in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The figures requested are shown in the following table. Since 1997, the Government have increased prison capacity by over 24,000 places (not all of them new build). The Government increased capacity by over 3,300 places last year, aim to increase it by around 1,750 this year and are committed to increase net capacity to 96,000 by 2014.
	
		
			   Average number of prisoners in trebled accommodation  Percentage of prisoners in trebled accommodation  Average number of prisoners in trebled accommodation  Percentage of prisoners in trebled accommodation 
			  Establishment name  2007-08  2007-08  2008-09  2008-09 
			 Acklington 0 0 0 0 
			 Albany 0 0 0 0 
			 Aldington(1, 2) - - - - 
			 Altcourse(3) 1,717 11.8 1,612.0 10.6 
			 Ashfield(3) 0 0 0 0 
			 Ashwell 0 0 0 0 
			 Askham Grange 0 0 0 0 
			 Aylesbury 0 0 0 0 
			 Bedford 117 2.0 210.0 3.8 
			 Belmarsh 4,467 40.6 4,579.0 42.5 
			 Birmingham 0 0 0 0 
			 Blakenhurst(2) 0 0 - - 
			 Blantyre House 0 0 0 0 
			 Blundeston 0 0 0 0 
			 Brinsford 0 0 0 0 
			 Bristol 0 0 0 0 
			 Brixton 0 0 0 0 
			 Brockhill(2) 0 0 - - 
			 Bronzefield(3) 0.0 0 0 0 
			 Buckley Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Bullingdon 60 0.5 0 0 
			 Bullwood Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Camp Hill 0 0 0 0 
			 Canterbury 0 0 0 0 
			 Cardiff 0 0 0 0 
			 Castington 0 0 0 0 
			 Channings Wood 0 0 0 0 
			 Chelmsford 0 0 0 0 
			 Colchester(1, 2) - - - - 
			 Coldingley 0 0 0 0 
			 Cookham Wood 0 0 0 0 
			 Dartmoor 0 0 0 0 
			 Deerbolt 0 0 0 0 
			 Doncaster(3) 201 1.5 271.0 2.0 
			 Dorchester 0 0 0 0 
			 Dovegate(3) 0 0 0 0 
			 Dover 0 0 0 0 
			 Downview 0 0 0 0 
			 Drake Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Durham 0 0 0 0 
			 East Sutton Park 0 0 0 0 
			 Eastwood Park 0 0 0 0 
			 Edmunds Hill 0 0 0 0 
			 Elmley 3,606 30.5 4,051.0 34.7 
			 Erlestoke 0 0 0 0 
			 Everthorpe 0 0 0 0 
			 Exeter 0 0 0 0 
			 Featherstone 0 0 0 0 
			 Feltham 0 0 0 0 
			 Ford 0 0 0 0 
			 Forest Bank(3) 0 0 0 0 
			 Foston Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Frankland 0 0 0 0 
			 Full Sutton 0 0 0 0 
			 Garth 0 0 0 0 
			 Gartree 0 0 0 0 
			 Glen Parva 0 0 0 0 
			 Gloucester 0 0 0 0 
			 Grendon 0 0 0 0 
			 Guys Marsh 0 0 0 0 
			 Haslar 0 0 0 0 
			 Hatfield 0 0.0 0 0.0 
			 Haverigg 0 0 0 0 
			 Hewell(1) - - 0 0 
			 Hewell Grange(2) 0 0 - - 
			 High Down 3,531 36.2 3,123.0 23.9 
			 Highpoint 0 0 0 0 
			 Hindley 0 0 0 0 
			 Hollesley Bay 0 0 0 0 
			 Holloway 0 0 0 0 
			 Holme House 0 0 0 0 
			 Hull 0 0 0 0 
			 Huntercombe 0 0 0 0 
			 Kennet 0 0 0 0 
			 Kingston 0 0 0 0 
			 Kirkham 0 0 0 0 
			 Kirklevington 0 0 0 0 
			 Lancaster 0 0 0 0 
			 Lancaster Farms 0 0 0 0 
			 Latchmere House 0 0 0 0 
			 Leeds 0 0 0 0 
			 Leicester 0 0 0 0 
			 Lewes 0 0 0 0 
			 Leyhill 0 0 0 0 
			 Lincoln 0 0 0 0 
			 Lindholme 0 0 0 0 
			 Littlehey 0 0 0 0 
			 Liverpool 0 0 0 0 
			 Long Lartin 0 0 0 0 
			 Low Newton 0 0 0 0 
			 Lowdham Grange(3) 0 0 0 0 
			 Maidstone 0 0 0 0 
			 Manchester 0 0 0 0 
			 Moorland 0 0 0 0 
			 Morton Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Mount 0 0 0 0 
			 New Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 North Sea Camp 0 0 0 0 
			 Northallerton 0 0 0 0 
			 Norwich 45 0.7 90.0 1.4 
			 Nottingham 0 0 0 0 
			 Onley 0 0 0 0 
			 Parc(3) 0 0 0 0 
			 Parkhurst 0 0 0 0 
			 Pentonville 0 0 0 0 
			 Peterborough(3) 0.0 0 0 0 
			 Portland 0 0 0 0 
			 Preston 0 0 0 0 
			 Ranby 0 0 0 0 
			 Reading 0 0 0 0 
			 Risley 0 0 0 0 
			 Rochester 0 0 0 0 
			 Rye Hill(3) 0 0 0 0 
			 Send 0 0 0 0 
			 Shepton Mallet 0 0 0 0 
			 Shrewsbury 0 0 0 0 
			 Stafford 0 0 0 0 
			 Standford Hill 0 0 0 0 
			 Stocken 0 0 0 0 
			 Stoke Heath 0 0 0 0 
			 Styal 0 0 0 0 
			 Sudbury 0 0 0 0 
			 Swaleside 0 0 0 0 
			 Swansea 126 2.5 225.0 4.4 
			 Swinfen Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Thorn Cross 0 0 0 0 
			 Usk\Prescoed 63 1.3 69.0 1.4 
			 Verne 0 0 0 0 
			 Wakefield 0 0 0 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 0 0 0 
			 Warren Hill 0 0 0 0 
			 Wayland 0 0 0 0 
			 Wealstun 0 0 0 0 
			 Weare - - - - 
			 Wellingborough 0 0 0 0 
			 Werrington 0 0 0 0 
			 Wetherby 0 0 0 0 
			 Whatton 0 0 0 0 
			 Whitemoor 0 0 0 0 
			 Winchester 0 0.0 3.0 0.0 
			 Wolds(3) 0 0 0 0 
			 Woodhill 0 0 0 0 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 0 0 0 0 
			 Wymott 0 0 0 0 
			 Service Total 1,161 1.4 1,186.1 1.4 
			  Key: (1) Not operational in 1007-08 (2) Not operational in 1008-09 (3) Contracted out

Prisoners

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners held in a cell designed for one inmate shared their cell with one or more other prisoners in each prison in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The figures requested are shown in the following table. Since 1997, the Government have increased prison capacity by over 24,000 places (not all of them new build). The Government increased capacity by over 3,300 places last year, aim to increase it by around 1,750 this year and are committed to increase net capacity to 96,000 by 2014.
	
		
			   Average number of prisoners in doubled accommodation  Percentage of prisoners in doubled accommodation  Average number of prisoners in doubled accommodation  Percentage of prisoners in doubled accommodation 
			  Establishment name  2007-08  2007-08  2008-09  2008-09 
			 Acklington 0 0 0 0 
			 Albany 0 0 0 0 
			 Aldington(2, 3) - - - - 
			 Altcourse 825.4 68.2 825.7 65.3 
			 Ashfield(1) 0 0 0 0 
			 Ashwell 9.7 1.8 24.5 4.2 
			 Askham Grange 0 0 0 0 
			 Aylesbury 0 0 0 0 
			 Bedford 299.3 62.0 257.3 56.2 
			 Belmarsh 0 0 0 0 
			 Birmingham 652.8 45.0 640.7 44.8 
			 Blakenhurst(3) 480.0 45.1 - - 
			 Blantyre House 0 0 0 0 
			 Blundeston 32.7 7.1 32.7 6.3 
			 Brinsford 44.3 9.7 30.3 5.7 
			 Bristol 156.0 25.9 158.3 26.3 
			 Brixton 249.0 31.0 226.7 29.2 
			 Brockhill(3) 0 0 - - 
			 Bronzefield(1) 0 0 0 0 
			 Buckley Hall 53.0 13.9 70.0 18.5 
			 Bullingdon 400.0 41.7 424.3 41.2 
			 Bullwood Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Camp Hill 129.7 22.0 146.3 25.0 
			 Canterbury 154.2 55.1 203.5 67.2 
			 Cardiff 478.5 63.7 520.8 66.9 
			 Castington 7.7 2.0 5.7 1.5 
			 Channings Wood 46.0 6.6 32.0 4.4 
			 Chelmsford 303.8 43.5 257.2 37.5 
			 Colchester(2, 3) - - - - 
			 Coldingley 38.5 9.9 39.3 9.0 
			 Cookham Wood 15.5 23.3 0 0.0 
			 Dartmoor 44.3 7.0 42.2 6.6 
			 Deerbolt 0 0 0 0 
			 Doncaster(1) 725.9 64.0 704.4 63.3 
			 Dorchester 171.5 74.1 172.0 75.3 
			 Dovegate(1) 73.8 8.8 120.3 14.3 
			 Dover 0 0 0 0 
			 Downview 0 0 0 0 
			 Drake Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Durham 715.0 75.6 676.5 73.4 
			 East Sutton Park 0 0 0 0 
			 Eastwood Park 59.2 17.8 51.3 16.2 
			 Edmunds Hill 0 0 0 0 
			 Elmley 204.8 20.8 176.5 18.1 
			 Erlestoke 8.0 1.9 0 0 
			 Everthorpe 153.2 22.6 152.7 22.6 
			 Exeter 351.2 73.3 400.2 79.8 
			 Featherstone 16.5 2.5 25.8 3.8 
			 Feltham 0 0 0 0 
			 Ford 0 0 0 0 
			 Forest Bank(1) 593.8 54.3 626.8 56.2 
			 Foston Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Frankland 0 0 0 0 
			 Full Sutton 0 0 0 0 
			 Garth 12.0 1.8 30.7 3.7 
			 Gartree 0 0 0 0 
			 Glen Parva 294.8 36.6 286.3 36.5 
			 Gloucester 151.8 52.7 153.0 50.7 
			 Grendon 0 0 0 0 
			 Guys Marsh 85.5 15.1 89.2 15.6 
			 Haslar 0 0 0 0 
			 Hatfield 0 0 0 0 
			 Haverigg 11.2 1.9 21.0 3.4 
			 Hewell(2) - - 414.2 29.6 
			 Hewell Grange(3) 0 0 - - 
			 High Down 0 0 19.0 1.7 
			 Highpoint 38.8 4.8 38.5 4.7 
			 Hindley 0 0 0 0 
			 Hollesley Bay 0 0 0 0 
			 Holloway 0 0 0 0 
			 Holme House 271.9 27.6 240.7 25.2 
			 Hull 560.5 54.3 567.3 55.8 
			 Huntercombe 0 0 0 0 
			 Kennet 188.3 91.5 326.3 96.7 
			 Kingston 0 0 0 0 
			 Kirkham 0 0 0 0 
			 Kirklevington 0 0 0 0 
			 Lancaster 143.0 71.0 152.7 65.9 
			 Lancaster Farms 58.8 11.8 61.8 13.5 
			 Latchmere House 0 0 0 0 
			 Leeds 739.5 73.2 601.8 59.5 
			 Leicester 287.7 82.7 300.2 83.8 
			 Lewes 148.7 28.3 145.5 21.8 
			 Leyhill 0 0 0 0 
			 Lincoln 493.5 73.5 508.3 73.4 
			 Lindholme 88.5 8.6 106.0 9.6 
			 Littlehey 89.2 12.8 124.0 17.2 
			 Liverpool 408.2 30.0 388.0 29.4 
			 Long Lartin 0 0 0 0 
			 Low Newton 54.7 19.5 62.5 20.7 
			 Lowdham Grange(1) 64.5 9.7 89.5 13.1 
			 Maidstone 53.8 10.5 55.3 11.8 
			 Manchester 629.5 51.2 606.5 50.7 
			 Moorland 69.0 6.8 73.3 7.2 
			 Morton Hall 0 0 0 0 
			 Mount 24.8 3.4 30.5 4.0 
			 New Hall 49.3 12.4 55.3 13.8 
			 North Sea Camp 0 0 0 0 
			 Northallerton 188.8 78.6 179.7 78.4 
			 Norwich 187.5 33.8 172.5 33.2 
			 Nottingham 337.8 61.7 329.8 60.9 
			 Onley 0 0 0 0 
			 Parc(1) 267.3 23.7 315.7 26.5 
			 Parkhurst 60.0 11.8 58.8 12.1 
			 Pentonville 733.2 64.1 676.5 60.7 
			 Peterborough(1) 123.7 12.9 246.3 25.5 
			 Portland 0 0 0 0 
			 Preston 661.8 90.9 650.2 90.2 
			 Ranby 234.8 22.8 238.2 22.1 
			 Reading 157.8 60.9 124.2 51.2 
			 Risley 82.3 7.6 79.5 7.3 
			 Rochester 0 0 0 0 
			 Rye Hill(1) 16.8 2.7 0 0 
			 Send 0 0 0 0 
			 Shepton Mallet 43.7 23.4 45.8 24.7 
			 Shrewsbury 301.8 92.6 241.3 80.1 
			 Stafford 0 0 0 0 
			 Standford Hill 0 0 0 0 
			 Stocken 50.0 7.5 60.0 7.5 
			 Stoke Heath 184.5 29.3 132.3 22.1 
			 Styal 18.2 4.1 20.0 4.5 
			 Sudbury 0.7 0.1 0 0 
			 Swaleside 30.2 3.9 28.0 3.6 
			 Swansea 325.3 77.4 333.5 79.0 
			 Swinfen Hall 7.8 1.3 29.0 4.7 
			 Thorn Cross 0 0 0 0 
			 Usk\Prescoed 209.3 52.6 220.8 54.1 
			 Verne 66.2 11.2 65.2 11.1 
			 Wakefield 0 0 0 0 
			 Wandsworth 1168.8 79.2 1141.5 70.4 
			 Warren Hill 0 0 0 0 
			 Wayland 79.3 11.2 85.3 8.7 
			 Wealstun 31.3 4.0 36.2 6.8 
			 Weare(2, 3) - - - - 
			 Wellingborough 2.0 0.3 2.5 0.4 
			 Werrington 0 0 0 0 
			 Wetherby 20.0 5.7 10.2 3.0 
			 Whatton 63.7 8.2 56.5 6.8 
			 Whitemoor 0 0 0 0 
			 Winchester 333.7 61.1 359.5 59.6 
			 Wolds(1) 84.7 22.8 96.0 25.2 
			 Woodhill 256.2 31.5 298.0 36.4 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 124.0 9.8 124.0 9.9 
			 Wymott 90.0 8.5 104.0 9.5 
			 Service total 19,054.3 23.6 19,152.6 23.1 
			  Key:(1) Contracted out. (2) Not operational in 2007-08. (3 )Not operational in 2008-09.

Prisoners

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people  (a) of each sex and  (b) in each age group have been admitted to prison in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The following table gives the number of people received into prison under an immediate custodial sentence by age group and sex. This excludes those received on remand that did not subsequently enter prison under sentence in the same year, fine defaulters and non-criminals.
	
		
			  Receptions into prison establishments( 1)  under an immediate custodial sentence by age and sex, England and Wales 
			  Number of persons 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Male
			 All ages 75,985 80,059 83,422 84,189 83,292 85,895 84,252 85,062 82,390 80,436 82,205 
			 15-17 5,365 5,283 5,523 5,530 5,598 5,392 4,729 4,986 4,971 5,127 5,165 
			 18-20 12,525 13,245 14,264 14,567 14,101 13,512 12.345 12,252 11,770 11,845 12,778 
			 21-24 15,794 15,608 15,905 16,621 16,866 17,754 17,147 16,527 15,138 14,520 14,535 
			 25-29 16,180 17,086 17,133 17,085 16,113 16,642 16,146 16,038 15,105 14,801 15,146 
			 30-39 17,431 19,365 20,596 20,567 20,525 22,202 22,704 22,612 22,136 20.771 20,346 
			 40-49 5,935 6,422 6,772 6,726 6,993 7,356 7.985 9,108 9,623 9,647 10,258 
			 50-59 2,160 2,408 2,505 2,319 2,376 2,347 2.448 2,708 2,791 2,805 2,950 
			 60 and over 595 642 724 774 720 690 748 831 856 920 1,027 
			 
			  Female
			 All ages 4,847 5,849 6,816 7,006 7,231 7,720 7,993 8,264 8,024 7,698 8,056 
			 15-17 252 302 354 304 305 346 189 186 204 164 191 
			 18-20 601 769 879 932 965 986 916 840 874 849 888 
			 21-24 973 1,113 1,368 1,450 1,520 1,667 1,781 1,674 1,502 1,375 1,326 
			 25-29 1,071 1,311 1,516 1,477 1,606 1,694 1,786 1,825 1,695 1,596 1,720 
			 30-39 1,325 1,618 1,909 2,041 2,042 2,157 2.352 2,519 2,422 2,403 2,485 
			 40-49 480 582 584 602 605 725 773 986 1,072 1,043 1,135 
			 50-59 125 135 184 166 162 122 173 200 214 216 258 
			 60 and over 20 19 22 34 26 23 23 34 41 52 53 
			 (1) Excludes police cells. 
		
	
	The table is taken from table 6.6 in the Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2007, a copy of which can be found in the Libraries of the House and which can be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Drugs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people  (a) of each sex and  (b) in each age group admitted to prison have tested positive for illegal drugs on arrival in each of the last 10 years; and which drug or drugs they tested positive for.

Maria Eagle: Prisoners can be subject to mandatory and clinical drug tests on reception. Clinical drug test results are not held centrally and can be obtained only by surveying 138 establishments, which would be at disproportionate cost.
	Not all prisons operate reception mandatory testing, and of those that do, not all are on new receptions into custody.
	However, the number of positive samples by gender under the mandatory drug testing (MDT) programme on reception is given in the following table. It is not possible to provide figures by age group.
	
		
			  MDT conducted on reception 
			Number of positive samples for each drug 
			   Total number of positive samples  Cannabis  Opiates  Cocaine  Benzodiazepines  Methadone  Amphetamines  Barbiturates  LSD  Buprenorphine 
			  Female prisoners   
			 1999-2000 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2000-01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2001-02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2002-03 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2003-04 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2004-05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2005-06 3 1 2 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 
			 2006-07 41 14 25 27 27 6 0 4 0 0 
			 2007-08 13 1 10 8 11 1 0 0 0 2 
			 2008-09 36 15 16 12 17 4 0 0 0 5 
			
			  Male prisoners   
			 1999-2000 776 534 282 72 140 18 19 3 0 2 
			 2000-01 1,024 640 476 156 299 30 26 3 0 10 
			 2001-02 508 313 220 86 140 13 19 2 0 7 
			 2002-03 485 300 195 90 160 12 9 3 0 8 
			 2003-04 491 330 154 84 138 12 10 9 0 23 
			 2004-05 687 488 175 91 164 11 25 8 0 66 
			 2005-06 860 555 254 91 177 27 19 16 0 82 
			 2006-07 1,087 643 350 120 263 47 24 9 0 74 
			 2007-08 1,456 860 489 149 391 109 34 9 0 128 
			 2008-09 1,302 782 365 142 342 120 15 5 0 183 
			  Notes: 1. MDT results are recorded anonymously. It is possible therefore that some positive samples relate to the same prisoner. 2. The sum of the number of positive samples for each drug is greater than the total number of positive samples. This is due to some samples testing positive for more than one drug. 3. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. The data are not subject to audit.

Prisoners: Drugs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners  (a) of each sex and  (b) in each age group tested positive for illegal drugs in each of the last 10 years; and which drug or drugs they tested positive for.

Maria Eagle: Prisoners can be subject to mandatory, voluntary and clinical drug testing. Voluntary and clinical drug test results are not held centrally and can be obtained only by surveying 138 establishments, which would be at disproportionate cost.
	The number of positive results under all types of mandatory drug testing (MDT) is given in the following tables. It is not possible to provide figures by age group.
	
		
			  MDT conducted on female prisoners 
			Number of positive samples for each drug 
			   Total number of positive samples  Cannabis  Opiates  Cocaine  Benzodiazepines  Methadone  Amphetamines  Barbiturates  LSD  Buprenorphine 
			 1999-20000 780 181 441 37 275 16 17 7 0 2 
			 2000-01 812 168 504 35 215 14 7 3 0 6 
			 2001-02 681 126 402 49 194 23 11 2 0 9 
			 2002-03 578 109 265 32 232 31 7 0 0 22 
			 2003-04 688 122 240 39 331 89 5 3 0 34 
			 2004-05 900 147 415 57 306 98 7 3 0 117 
			 2005-06 1,009 169 480 60 280 104 6 8 0 166 
			 2006-07 1,054 122 505 79 310 112 7 10 0 164 
			 2007-08 925 91 338 61 236 112 9 2 0 295 
			 2008-09 688 116 231 44 178 72 0 1 0 200 
		
	
	
		
			  MDT conducted on male prisoners 
			Number of positive samples for each drug 
			   Total number of positive samples  Cannabis  Opiates  Cocaine  Benzodiazepines  Methadone  Amphetamines  Barbiturates  LSD  Buprenorphine 
			 1999-2000 17,098 11,814 6,458 369 1,374 67 103 21 1 74 
			 2000-01 15,990 9,284 7,437 437 1,631 60 81 14 0 264 
			 2001-02 13,689 7,518 6,560 391 1,353 40 72 21 0 346 
			 2002-03 12,304 8,086 4,439 354 1,212 33 56 17 0 347 
			 2003-04 14,059 10,035 4,166 343 1,354 49 101 44 0 568 
			 2004-05 14,903 9,491 5,341 346 1,235 116 129 57 0 1,033 
			 2005-06 14,714 8,476 5,746 339 1,180 159 108 90 0 1,388 
			 2006-07 13,123 6,116 6,170 328 1,228 219 125 94 0 1,293 
			 2007-08 14,243 6,199 6,949 438 1,411 402 121 27 0 1,564 
			 2008-09 13,212 5,852 5,066 357 1,398 514 55 31 0 2,928 
			  Notes: 1. MDT results are recorded anonymously. It is possible therefore that some positive samples relate to the same prisoner.  2. The sum of the number of positive samples for each drug is greater than the total number of positive samples. This is due to some samples testing positive for more than one drug.  3. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. The data are not subject to audit.

Prisoners: Financial Provision

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the financial circumstances of adult male and female prisoners at the time of imprisonment; what research he has commissioned on the subject; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The only information systematically held is from the assessment of offending related factors made through the Offender Assessment System (OASys) which is only applied to young prisoners and to adult prisoners serving sentences of more than 12 months.
	During the period 1 April 2008 until 31 March 2009, 7,844 adult male offenders and 825 adult female offenders were assessed at the start of a custodial sentence as having an offending linked factor related to 'financial management and income'.
	Pilots are under way regarding extending assessment to all prisoners and Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction (SPCR) is a longitudinal study aiming to provide an overview of prisoners' needs, interventions received and related outcomes.

Prisons

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to his answer of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 80-81W, on prison accommodation, 
	(1)  what proportion of his Department's expenditure of £60 million at the former RAF Coltishall he expects to be incurred on  (a) structural changes,  (b) refurbishment,  (c) construction of new buildings,  (d) security measures,  (e) hygiene and other services and  (f) other works;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the lifetime of  (a) the new prison development at RAF Coltishall and  (b) the capital construction cost per prison place per year of that lifespan.

Jack Straw: It is estimated that approximately £1.8 million will be spent on structural changes, £31.4 million will be spent on refurbishment, £13.6 million will be spent on construction of new buildings, £2.8 million will be spent on security measures, £7.2 million will be spent on hygiene and other services and £3 million will be spent on other works.
	The estimated lifespan of the new prison development at Coltishall is 60 years. The capital construction cost is £60 million or approximately £2,000 per prison place per year during this time.

Prisons

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the  (a) current and  (b) certified normal capacity of the prison estate in each region is; what estimate he has made of the estate's capacity in 2016; and what proportion of the current prison population originated in each region is.

Maria Eagle: The following table shows the certified normal accommodation (CNA) of prisons in each region against the corresponding operational capacity as of May 2009.
	
		
			  Capacity by region, May 2009 data 
			  Region  (a) Operational Capacity  (b) In use CNA 
			 East Midlands 10,373 9,197 
			 Eastern 8,355 7,486 
			 London 7,736 6,421 
			 North East 5,217 4,623 
			 North West 13,167 10,777 
			 South East 14,220 12,760 
			 South West 6,830 5,954 
			 Wales 2,860 1,936 
			 West Midlands 8,322 7,307 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 9,725 8,223 
		
	
	Operational capacity in the table does not take into account the prison estate's operating margin. This is reflected in the useable operational capacity of the estate and is the best estimate of the total number of prisoners that the estate can readily hold taking into account control, security and the proper operation of regimes including single cell risk assessments. It allows for the fact that prisoners are managed separately by sex, risk category and conviction status and that the population will not exactly match the distribution of places available across the country. Useable operational capacity is currently set at 2,000 places (the operating margin) below the overall capacity of the prison estate.
	Our analysis suggests we need to increase the capacity of the prison estate to around 96,000 places by 2014, and we are on course to achieve this through the current building programme. No decisions have been made on the provision of further capacity once the programme to increase the estate to 96,000 places is complete.
	The following table shows the prison population originating from each region as of September 2008.
	
		
			  Population by region of origin( 1) , September 2008 data 
			  Region  Originating population 
			 East Midlands 5,900 
			 Eastern 5,700 
			 London 17,200 
			 North East 3,900 
			 North West 13,100 
			 South East 8,600 
			 South West 4,700 
			 Wales 4,200 
			 West Midlands 8,900 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 8,700 
			 Grand total(2) 80,900 
			 (1 )Region of origin is derived from a prisoner's home address. If this home address is not recorded centrally the prisoner's court of committal is used as a proxy for home area. (2 )This total excludes around 2,400 prisoners who do not have a centrally recorded home or court address.  Note: Data are rounded to the nearest 100.

Prisons: Drugs

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the use of  (a) random and  (b) non-random mandatory drugs testing in prisons between 2002-03 and 2008-09; and what plans he has for the future use of mandatory drugs testing in prisons.

Maria Eagle: There is no research directly into the cost-effectiveness of mandatory drug testing.
	Independent research carried out by the Office for National Statistics
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/rdsolr0305.pdf
	concluded that the mandatory drug testing programme met its key objectives. Mandatory drug testing continues to be an integral part of the strategy to reduce the supply of drugs in prisons.
	The success of the strategy overall is reflected in a reduction in drug misuse in prisons of 63 per cent. since 1996-07.

Probation: Hemel Hempstead

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many high risk  (a) male and  (b) female offenders in each age group there were in the Hemel Hempstead probation area in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The total number of male offenders, by age group and the total number of female offenders in Hertfordshire probation area who were categorised as Tier 4 (high risk) as at 31 March in each of the last three years is provided in the following table. Information is available at probation area level only and has not been provided for women by age group because of the small numbers of cases involved.
	
		
			   2006  2007  2008 
			  Age group  Males  Females  Males  Females  Males  Females 
			 18-20 32 (1)- 58 (1)- 50 (1)- 
			 21-24 37 (1)- 49 (1)- 46 (1)- 
			 25-29 53 (1)- 68 (1)- 53 (1)- 
			 30-39 78 (1)- 104 (1)- 70 (1)- 
			 40-49 39 (1)- 53 (1)- 54 (1)- 
			 50 and over 20 (1)- 18 (1)- 16 (1)- 
			 All 259 32 350 24 289 9 
			 (1) Data not provided because of the small numbers involved. 
		
	
	Information on tier prior to 1 April 2005 was not recorded.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Probation Service

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much the Probation Service spent on  (a) consultants,  (b) monitoring of performance,  (c) IT systems which were abandoned as unsuccessful,  (d) IT systems which were retained as successful and  (e) management in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05, (iii) 2005-06, (iv) 2006-07 and (v) 2007-08.

Maria Eagle: It is not possible to answer the questions, except for the C-NOMIS project and the Delius case management system, without incurring disproportionate cost as it would be necessary to request information from each of the 42 local area probation boards that comprised the National Probation Service (NPS) in England and Wales up to 31 March 2008.
	However, some elements of IT provision are managed centrally, within which Delius, a case management system already in use by some probation areas, has been implemented where existing NPS case management systems are in urgent need of replacement. This replacement began in 2007-08 and for that financial year, expenditure was £367,000.
	The National Audit Office (in its report on the National Offender Management Information System, HC292, 2008-09) estimated that the National Offender Management Service had spent around £15 million on the probation element of C-NOMIS which is no longer required.

Reoffenders: Crimes of Violence

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders from Milton Keynes were charged with each category of violent offence while under supervision by the Probation Service in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: Local reoffending data was published for the first time on 12 February 2009, covering the period 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008.
	The National Offender Management Service holds information on the number of offenders charged with serious further (violent) offences while under probation supervision for the years 2006-07 and 2007-08. However, this does not include all types of violent offence and the data are collected at probation area level. The information in relation solely to Milton Keynes is not held centrally and would involve checking the local records for the Thames Valley probation area at a disproportionate cost.

Voting Methods

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made on his Department's review of weekend voting; and what timetable has been set for the Government's response to the consultation.

Michael Wills: The Election Day: Weekend Voting consultation attracted nearly 1,000 responses. It has taken time to analyse, in detail, the views and evidence provided. The Government's response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Young Offender Institutions: Per Capita Costs

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 24W, on young offender institutions: per capita costs, what the average cost of providing a place in  (a) a young offender institution for 18 to 21 year olds,  (b) a young offender institution for 15 to 17 year olds and  (c) a secure training centre for under 15 year olds was in 2008-09.

Jack Straw: The average cost per year of a place at a young offender institution (YOI) for 2008-09 is not yet available. The figures will be calculated after completion of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Annual Report and Accounts, due to be issued at the end of July, and published on the NOMS website. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures are available.
	The average cost per year of a place at a secure training centre (STC) for 2008-09, as provided by the Youth Justice Board, was £179,972. The age range of young people held in STCs is 12-17 years.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2009,  Official Report, column 993W, on basic skills, how many Learning and Skills Council-funded adult learners aged between 16 and 19 years old were eligible for inclusion in statistics used to measure progress against the Skills for Life Public Service Agreement target in  (a) 2002-03,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2004-05,  (d) 2005-06 and  (e) 2006-07.

Kevin Brennan: Table 1 shows Skills for Life achievement figures for working age 16 to 19 year-olds between 2002-03 and 2007-08. The table shows only those achievements which count towards the 2010 PSA target which is to improve the basic skill levels of 2.25 million adults between the launch of Skills for Life in 2001 and 2010. This target was achieved in 2008.
	
		
			  Table 1: Skills for Life 2010 target-bearing achievements (annual discounted achievements) 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 16 year-old 50,100 70,200 86,900 99,000 105,500 111,400 
			 17 year-old 30,200 43,200 58,200 78,300 81,600 84,300 
			 18 year-old 13,000 22,900 33,200 47,500 52,200 51,800 
			 19 year-old 6,400 12,200 19,500 28,000 32,000 32,400 
			 16 to 19 year-olds 99,600 148,400 197,700 252,900 271,200 279,900 
			  Notes: 1. Volumes are rounded to the nearest hundred. 2. Achievements are discounted to take into account learners that may have previously contributed to the target. For example, if a learner had previously achieved a level 1 literacy qualification in 2005-06 but subsequently achieved a level 1 numeracy qualification in 2006-07, we discount the number of learners to ensure we do not double-count learners achieving the target.  Source:  Individualised Learner Record Student data.

Apprentices

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people aged 16 to 24 started an apprenticeship in each quarter since August 2007.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 14 July 2009
	Table 1 shows apprenticeship starts for 16 to 24 year-olds in each quarter since August 2007.
	
		
			  Table 1: Apprenticeship starts by a ge 
			   1 August 2007  to  31 October 2007  1 November 2007  to   31 January 2008  1 February 2008  to   30 April 2008  1 May 2008 to  31 July 2008  1 August 2008  to  31 October 2008  1 November 2008  to   31 Jan uary  2009  1 February 2009  to   30 April 2009 
			 16-18 year-olds 54,500 17,800 16,800 18,000 52,200 16,100 13,400 
			 19-24 year-olds 28,700 17,200 23,600 20,600 31,500 18,100 18,300 
			  Notes: 1. Volumes are rounded to the nearest hundred. 2. Age is calculated based on age at the start of the course.  Source:  WBL ILR 
		
	
	The National Apprenticeship Service has developed a 16-18 Apprenticeships Action Plan and is taking forward a range of actions to increase the number of young people starting an apprenticeship. These include: an £11 million investment to provide 3,000 additional places with large businesses that have a track record in offering high-quality apprenticeships, with 1,800 places for 16 to 18 year-olds; a £7 million investment in Group Training Associations which can help attract new and hard to reach employers and new individuals to become apprentices; a focus on increasing the number of apprenticeship places available in the public sector by 21,000 this year with a specific focus on health, education, central and local government; and the publication of OGC guidance to enable Central and Local Government to utilise the £175 billion spent each year on procurement contracts to increase apprenticeship numbers and investment in training.

Apprentices

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made towards provision of the proposed 1,500 apprenticeships under the New Opportunities, New Challenges strategy.

Kevin Brennan: In the Manufacturing: New Opportunities, New Challenges strategy, the Government committed to extend and expand high quality Apprenticeships by approximately 1,500 new places, by inviting bids from larger manufacturers to train additional apprentices, including for their supply chains.
	On 1 December 2008 the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme Prospectus was launched, inviting Expressions of Interest from employers or groups of employers who are already delivering high-quality Apprenticeship programmes.
	On 13 May the majority of the successful bids were announced. Out of the approximately 3,000 additional Apprenticeships created under the Expansion Programme, at least 1,400 will be in the Engineering and Manufacturing sector. The first additional apprentices will be taken on in September 2009.

Apprentices

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on level four apprenticeships in each year since 2001.

Kevin Brennan: Our records show that in 2006-07, £115,000 was spent on funding level four apprenticeship places. This rose to £202,000 in 2007-08, as more learners started apprenticeships and we continued to fund the programmes of those who had started in the previous year. In previous academic years, level four apprenticeships were not available.

Apprentices: Females

David Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of apprenticeships were completed by women in each of the last 10 years.

Kevin Brennan: The table shows the volume and proportion of apprenticeships completed by women in each year from 2003/04 to 2007/08.
	
		
			  Apprenticeships completed by women 
			   Volume  Proportion (percentage) 
			 2003/04 25,200 51 
			 2004/05 32,200 48 
			 2005/06 45,700 46 
			 2006/07 50,900 45 
			 2007/08 50,800 45 
			  Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred, and percentages to the nearest per cent.  Source: WBL ILR 
		
	
	In many areas the take up of apprenticeships reflects the gender divide in the workplace. For example 1 per cent. of construction apprentices are women but in the care sector women comprise 97 per cent. of apprentices. We do not accept this and we have asked that the new National Apprenticeship Service to take action to address inequalities within the Apprenticeship programme.

Apprentices: Hertfordshire

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of apprenticeships to be taken up by those over the age of 24 years in  (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency,  (b) Dacorum and  (c) Hertfordshire in the next five years.

Kevin Brennan: The table shows apprenticeship starts in Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency and Hertfordshire local authority in 2007/08, the latest year for which we have full-year information. Information is not available at local authority district level and hence figures for Dacorum, which is part of Hertfordshire local authority, are not shown.
	
		
			  Apprenticeship starts in 2007/08 
			   Area 
			  Age at start of programme  Hemel Hempstead constituency  Hertfordshire local authority 
			 Under 19 140 1,300 
			 19-24 160 1,200 
			 25 plus 50 300 
			 All starts 350 2,800 
			  Notes 1. Area is based on home postcode of learner. 2. Figures for parliamentary constituency have been rounded to the nearest ten and figures for local authority have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Therefore figures may not sum to the total due to rounding. 3. Age is calculated based on age at start of programme.  Source: WBL ILR 
		
	
	Nationally, in 2008/09 we anticipate that more adults than ever before will start an apprenticeship. As part of our unprecedented investment in apprenticeships we have seen tremendous growth in the adult (25 plus) Apprenticeship programme from just 300 starts in 2006/07, to over 27,000 in 2007/08 in England. We are delighted that this trend has continued and demand from employers for adult apprenticeships remains very high. This demonstrates that apprenticeships provide a high-quality, all-age offer for businesses and that employers recognise the benefits of continuing to train in the current economic climate. The Government's Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11 (due in autumn 2009) will set out national projections for apprenticeship starts for 2009/10 and 2010/11 academic years.

Apprentices: Thames Valley

Tony Baldry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of apprenticeships which will be taken up by those over the age of 24 years resident in  (a) the Thames Valley and  (b) Oxfordshire in the next 12 months.

Kevin Brennan: The following table shows apprenticeship starts in Oxfordshire in 2007-08, the latest year for which we have full-year information. Information is also provided for all of the local authorities covered by the Thames Valley Local Learning and Skills Council.
	
		
			  Apprenticeship starts in 2007-08 
			   Age at start of programme  All starts 
			  Local authority  Under 19  19-24  25+  
			 Bracknell Forest 200 200 100 400 
			 Buckinghamshire 800 700 100 1,600 
			 Milton Keynes 400 500 100 1,000 
			 Oxfordshire 1,000 800 200 2,000 
			 Reading 200 200 100 500 
			 Slough 200 200 100 400 
			 West Berkshire 300 300 100 700 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 200 200 - 400 
			 Wokingham 900 900 300 2,000 
			 Total 4,100 3,900 1,100 9,100 
			  Notes: 1. Area is based on home postcode of learner. 2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and may not sum to the total due to rounding. 3. '-' indicates a value of less than 50. 4. Age is calculated based on age at start of programme.  Source: WBL ILR 
		
	
	Nationally, in 2008-09 we anticipate that more adults than ever before will start an Apprenticeship. As part of our unprecedented investment in Apprenticeships we have seen tremendous growth in the adult (25+) Apprenticeship programme from just 300 starts in 2006-07, to over 27,000 in 2007/08 in England. We are delighted that this trend has continued and demand from employers for adult Apprenticeships remains very high. This demonstrates that Apprenticeships provide a high-quality, all-age offer for businesses and that employers recognise the benefits of continuing to train in the current economic climate.

Better Regulation Executive

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the projected expenditure by the Better Regulation Executive is for each of the next five years.

Ian Lucas: The Better Regulation Executive has a formal budget for 2009-10 and an indicative budget for 2010-11 as set out:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2009-10 (formal)  2010-11 (indicative) 
			 Programme budget 4.7 4.7 
			  of which:   
			 Local Better Regulation offices 4.4 4.4 
			 Communications 0.3 0.3 
			 Administration budget 6.4 6.4 
			 Total budget 11.1 11.1 
		
	
	These budgets were set out in the comprehensive spending review (CSR) 2007, covering the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11. Budgets for future years will be decided as part of the next spending round, which has not yet been announced by HM Treasury.

Business: Billing

Anne McGuire: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times cases under  (a) the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 2002 and  (b) other late payment legislation have been brought in UK courts in the last four years.

Rosie Winterton: The Ministry of Justice does not hold any statistical information about court applications (including Scotland) relating specifically to  (a) the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 2002 and  (b) other late payment legislation.
	This is because the administrative computer systems used in the courts do not presently identify these specific application types. While the relevant cases will be logged on the system, they cannot be distinguished from other types of claims issued. Changing the administrative systems to create specific case types for these types of cases would incur disproportionate cost.

Business: Billing

Anne McGuire: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what research has been carried out into the size of companies bringing court cases under late payment legislation.

Rosie Winterton: The Ministry of Justice does not hold any statistical information about court applications (including Scotland) relating specifically to late payment legislation.
	This is because the administrative computer systems used in the courts do not presently identify these specific application types. While the relevant cases will be logged on the system, they cannot be distinguished from other types of claims issued. Changing the administrative systems to create specific case types for these types of cases would incur disproportionate cost.

Business: Coastal Areas

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage business growth in seaside resorts in England.

Rosie Winterton: Support is available to established businesses, new businesses and those wanting to start a business throughout England, including in seaside resorts, via Business Link. Business Link is the Government's multi-channel business support service providing access to information and advice and directing clients to private and public sector support.
	This Department sponsors the nine English RDAs. The RDAs are the delivery vehicle for business development at a sub-national level and are responsible for the day-to-day management of Business Link. The RDAs have an important role to play, with other partners, in helping coastal areas in their regions to achieve their full economic potential, as part of wider regional strategies to deliver sustainable growth.

Business: Empty Property

Brian Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent estimate is of the number of empty business properties there are in each constituency in England.

Rosie Winterton: These data are not available at constituency level.

Business: Government Assistance

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses have received assistance from the Working Capital Guarantee Scheme; and how much funding has been committed to date.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 26 February 2009
	 The Working Capital Scheme (WCS) is not available directly to businesses. The scheme enables participating banks to increase the amount of working capital they can make available to businesses.
	By guaranteeing portfolios of working capital facilities, this will release regulatory capital held by the banks against these portfolios. The banks have agreed they will make commitments to re-deploy this capital in order to increase all types of lending to small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) and mid-sized corporates above their current base line.
	We have signed £1 billion of guarantees with RBS and Lloyds for portfolios of £2 billion. The financing for businesses it releases has already started from 1 March as a result of the lending agreements based on the Asset Protection Scheme and WCS. We will be allocating from the £10 billion WCS, guarantees for trade credit insurance in response to the constraint to working capital arising from withdrawal of trade credit insurance. We will also be consulting on the viability of using some of these guarantees for letters of credit and other forms of export finance which are also possible areas of constraint for working capital.

Business: Government Assistance

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of companies which will apply for assistance under the Working Capital Scheme; how much has been allocated by his Department to the scheme; what criteria are used by his Department on deciding suitability under the scheme; under what circumstances assistance would be refused; whether interest is charged under the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Main: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses have received funding under the Working Capital Scheme.

Rosie Winterton: The Working Capital Scheme (WCS) is not available directly to businesses. The scheme enables participating banks to increase the amount of working capital they can make available to businesses
	By guaranteeing portfolios of working capital facilities, this will release regulatory capital held by the banks against these portfolios. The banks have agreed they will make commitments to re-deploy this capital in order to increase all types of lending to small and medium sized enterprise (SMEs) and mid-sized corporates above their current base line.
	We have signed £1 billion of guarantees with RBS and Lloyds for portfolios of £2 billion. The financing for businesses it releases has already started from 1 March as a result of the lending agreements based on the Asset Protection Scheme and WCS. We will be allocating from the £10 billion WCS guarantees for trade credit insurance in response to the constraint to working capital arising from withdrawal of trade credit insurance. We will also be consulting on the viability of using some of these guarantees for letters of credit and other forms of export finance which are also possible areas of constraint for working capital.

Business: Government Assistance

Helen Southworth: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what business support measures from his Department are available to small and medium-sized businesses in Warrington.

Rosie Winterton: The Government fully appreciate the challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses, especially during these difficult economic times, and we provide real help to businesses in the Warrington area through a wide range of business support. Details are set out in our 'Real Help' publication for the north-west which can be found at:
	http://realhelpnow.hmg.gov.uk/pdf/northwest.pdf
	The Northwest Regional Development Agency also provide a broad range of business support in areas such as small business loans (from £3,000 to £50,000), grants, venture capital (ranging from £50,000 to £250,000), start-up, innovation and efficiency, high growth, international trade, training and development, and specific sector-based initiatives in areas such as manufacturing, digital and creative, business and professional services-full details can be found at:
	http://www.nwda.co.uk/publications/business/support-for-northwest-business.aspx
	Any business looking for support can access it through Business Link Northwest by visiting:
	www.businesslink.gov.uk

Business: Government Assistance

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in the London Borough of Southwark have  (a) applied for and  (b) received assistance from the (i) Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme and (ii) Capital for Enterprise Fund in 2009; and how much funding has been provided to businesses in Southwark under each scheme.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 June 2009
	The Department records information on the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and Capital for Enterprise Fund on a regional basis, including London. It does not hold the information requested at borough level and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Set out in the following tables is the information for London since the launch of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and Capital for Enterprise Fund on 14 January:
	
		
			  Enterprise Finance Guarantee 
			   Number 
			 Number of eligible applications 395 
			 Number of loans offered 354 
			 Number of loans drawn 212 
		
	
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Value of eligible applications 43.9 
			 Value of loans offered 37.2 
			 Value of loans drawn 22.4 
		
	
	
		
			  Capital Enterprise Fund 
			   Number 
			 Number of inquiries 91 
			 Number of inquires under consideration 11 
		
	
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Investment required 108.2 
			 Value of inquires under consideration 16.7 
		
	
	The fund managers are continuing due diligence on the proposals that have been put forward.

Business: Government Assistance

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what sources of support are available to raise finance for small businesses which apply for assistance under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme and meet the eligibility criteria but are not accepted on the scheme by commercial lenders; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 June 2009
	EFG is only available to viable businesses which are at the margins of commercial lending because they have insufficient security or their proposal involves a higher risk of loss in case of default.
	Businesses that have been unable to secure funding from a lender under EFG may be eligible for a loan or other assistance from their Regional Development Agency. Business Link can advise on what additional finance help is available in the English regions on 0845 600 9 006 or via:
	www.businesslink.gov.uk
	In addition Business Link offers businesses a free review of their business by a professional business adviser. As at 11 June 2009, over 57,800 businesses have benefited from these reviews. An average of 1,865 per week since the service began in October 2008.

Business: Government Assistance

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to assist  (a) small and  (b) medium-sized businesses in the London Borough of Bexley.

Rosie Winterton: Through Business Link, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Bexley can access a wide range of mainstream Government business support products and services. Recent additional support has been made available to help SMEs during these tough economic times, including business health checks and a rapid response service to help SMEs hit hardest by the recession.
	The Government are further assisting SMEs with 'real help now for businesses' which consists of targeted products and initiatives to help SMEs, including those in Bexley, during the downturn.
	The full suite of business support services is routinely delivered in Bexley, including: advice, guidance and practical financial support with business start-ups, support for entrepreneurs and innovators with information on how to develop and explore their ideas, from inspiration to planning, to research, marketing, launch, business growth and exporting. Community development finance institutions (CDFIs) provide loans and other financial services to SMEs experiencing difficulty in accessing mainstream finance. This support complements that offered to SMEs by other departments:
	Jobcentre Plus assists local businesses with recruitment and training and the LSC provides Train to Gain and apprenticeship funding.
	Alongside support targeted at specific businesses the London Development Agency continues to support development of the local business infrastructure in Bexley. Examples include:
	Estates Excellence South London/Soloman Ltd. (supporting 480 SMEs),
	Building Futures/Trust Thamesmead (employment support to 200 SME employees),
	Community Leaders Development (58 businesses supported, 11 new businesses created),
	East London Business Place (6 Bexley SMEs supported)

Business: Insurance

Peter Luff: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received from  (a) representative business organisations and  (b) individual businesses on the availability of trade credit insurance; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 June 2009
	 The Government have had regular discussions with the CBI and a range of businesses on the availability of trade credit insurance.
	In response, the Government launched a trade credit insurance scheme to help those businesses who have suffered reductions in their level of cover. This top-up scheme will help mitigate disruption to trade and cash flows.
	Following further engagement, the Government announced on 9 June that eligibility for the scheme will be backdated to include suppliers who had their cover reduced since 1 October 2008.

Business: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses were registered for value added tax in  (a) City of York constituency and  (b) the York unitary authority area in each year since 1992.

Rosie Winterton: The total numbers of businesses registered for VAT at the start of each year from 1992 to 2008 for the city of York constituency and York local unitary authority are shown as follows:
	
		
			  Year( 1)  City of York parliamentary constituency  York local unitary authority area 
			 1994 2,110 4,070 
			 1995 2,115 4,075 
			 1996 2,115 4,100 
			 1997 2,090 4,130 
			 1998 2,145 4,235 
			 1999 2,180 4,335 
			 2000 2,220 4,425 
			 2001 2,270 4,560 
			 2002 2,315 4,665 
			 2003 2,330 4,790 
			 2004 2,425 4,965 
			 2005 2,505 5,105 
			 2006 2,565 5,200 
			 2007 2,635 5,270 
			 2008 2,765 5,435 
			 (1 )Large increases in the compulsory VAT registration threshold in 1991 and 1993 mean that figures before and after these dates are not directly comparable to data from 1994 onwards. The VAT series between 1980 and 1993 is available from the following link:  http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/vat8093.xls 
		
	
	Between 1994 and 2008, the number of VAT registered businesses in the city of York constituency and the York local authority area increased by 31 and 34 per cent. respectively.

Constructing Excellence: Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding  (a) his Department and  (b) each regional development agency has given to (i) the Centre for Constructing Excellence and (ii) each regional centre for constructing excellence since its inception.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows funding provided by my Department to Centre for Constructing Excellence.
	
		
			  BIS funding to Constructing Excellence 
			   £ million 
			 2003-04 6 
			 2004-05 4.6 
			 2005-06 3.4 
			 2006-07 1.5 
			 2007-08 0.1 
			 2008-09 0.2 
			  Notes: 1. These figures include core funding for specific projects 2. The RDAs did not provide any funding to the Centre for Constructing Excellence since its inception. 3. My Department has not provided any core funding to regional Centres for Constructing Excellence. 
		
	
	The following table shows RDA funding to regional Centres for Constructing Excellence.
	
		
			  RDA funding to regional Centres for Constructing Excellence 
			  £000 
			  RDA  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08  2008/09 
			 AWM 0 0 0 0 712 1,393 1,420 1,193 
			 EEDA 0 0 0 0 0 23 5 0 
			 EMDA 0 0 0 78 402 0 299 304 
			 LDA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 
			 ONE (1)- (1)- 54 54 54 100 130 (2)- 
			 SEEDA 0 17 38 44 0 0 15 0 
			 SWRDA 0 0 0 0 0 47 127 128 
			 (1) To identify the funding that has been provided would incur disproportionate cost. (2) ONE's funding for 2007/08 was re-profiled to include 2008/09. Currently the regional centre has an application in for further funding.

Debts

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies with registered addresses in  (a) England and Wales and  (b) Gloucestershire are registered to execute debt relief orders; what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the debt relief scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Lucas: holding answer 13 July 2009
	The Secretary of State has designated six organisations as competent authorities. Those organisations in turn can approve individual advisers to act as intermediaries, that is to confirm that the entry criteria appear to be met and to assist with applications for debt relief orders. On receipt of the completed application and payment of the fee, the official receiver can make the order.
	None of the registered addresses of those six organisations is in Gloucestershire. Anyone in Gloucestershire wishing to apply for a debt relief order will be able to seek advice from one of the three designated organisations that offer telephone advice, or will be able to contact the other organisations to inquire about Gloucestershire-based advisers. The organisations are listed in a leaflet available online at:
	http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/bankruptcy/DRO/debtors.htm
	or in hard copy from the Insolvency Service.
	It is too early to be able to properly assess the effectiveness of the scheme. Formal evaluation will take place in approximately three years but as this is a new process, the Insolvency Service, which delivers DROs in partnership with the advice sector, is actively monitoring the effectiveness of the new procedures to ensure they are working as envisaged.

Departmental Manpower

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many members of staff will be employed in his Department's Manufacturing Insight office; and when the office will start operations.

Ian Lucas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 9 July 2009,  Official Report, column 988W.

Dietary Supplements: Channel Islands

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the effect on UK  (a) businesses and  (b) consumers of the import from the Channel Islands of health food products which contain illegal ingredients or are marketed using illegal claims; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: This Department has made no such assessment. The Food Standards Agency is the Government organisation responsible for the legislation that governs health food products.

Dietary Supplements: Channel Islands

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when officials of his Department last met representatives of the health food industry to discuss the effect of the trade in health food products from the Channel Islands on  (a) UK businesses and  (b) UK consumers.

Kevin Brennan: My officials have not met with representatives of the health food industry to discuss the effect of the trade in health food products from the Channel Islands although they have been in written communication. However, officials from the Food Standards Agency (who have responsibility for the legislation in this area) are in regular discussion with them.

East of England Development Agency: Land

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what  (a) land and  (b) buildings owned by the East of England Development Agency are unused.

Rosie Winterton: All land and property held by EEDA has been acquired with the intention of eventual disposal for appropriate use in support of regional and local economic strategies.
	The process prior to disposal depends on the condition and status of the sites on acquisition and the extent of planning and or access/services provision required to make the sites fit for purpose.
	Sites cannot be developed until these issues have been suitably addressed. However, once addressed, these will be disposed of for productive use at the earliest opportunity.
	However, some sites are currently vacant due to them being at different stages in the remediation and development process.
	On this basis, EEDA has provided the following table of those sites in its ownership which are neither the subject of a binding legal agreement with a developer or potential purchaser at the date of the question, nor forms part of an approved plan with any other party.
	
		
			  Land and buildings currently vacant comprise: 
			  Land only  Land and buildings 
			 Northwick Road (Canvey, Essex) Peterborough (South Bank) North (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)( 1) 
			 Wyboston (Wyboston, Bedfordshire) Saul's Wharf (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk)( 2) 
			 South Denes (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk)  
			 (1 )one short term tenant (2) empty buildings pending demolition

Education (Student Support) Regulations 2009

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effects of application of the provisions of the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2009 on each type of funding support his Department provides for students in 2009-10.

David Lammy: None. The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2009 set out funding support for students studying in the academic year starting 1 September 2010: they do not affect the student support available in the 2009-10 academic year.
	The Government remain committed to investing in higher education and are increasing funding for student support in 2009-10 financial year by 4 per cent. compared with 2008-09. In cash terms, we are planning to spend over £5 billion on student support in 2009-10, and even more in 2010-11.

Education: Finance

Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on accelerated support for  (a) capital projects to improve further education infrastructure and ( b) accelerated support for projects to improve facilities at higher education institutions of bringing forward capital expenditure from 2010-11 to 2009-10 and 2008-09; and how much of the funding has been spent in each month since it was announced.

Kevin Brennan: As announced in the pre-Budget report 2008, the former Department for Innovation Universities and Skills accelerated £442 million from 2010-11 budgets into 2008-09 and 2009-10. That capital was accelerated as set out in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2008-09  2009-10  Total 
			 Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) capital funding for higher education institutions 50 200 250 
			 Learning and Skills Council (LSC) capital funding for further education institutions 110 - 110 
			 Student Loans infrastructure 2 - 2 
			 Research Capital Investment Fund - 25 25 
			 Natural Environment Research Council facilities 5 - 5 
			 Large Facilities Capital Fund (projects managed by the research councils) - 50 50 
			 Total 167 275 442 
		
	
	The £50 million of capital that was accelerated to higher education institutions (HEIs) from 2010-11 into 2008-09 was spent in full in that financial year, having been allocated to institutions in January 2009 under the standard Capital Investment Formula. This amount, therefore, formed part of larger payments to HEIs and is not readily distinguishable from them in each month of spend. The £200 million brought forward to 2009-10 has been committed to specific projects, delivering throughout the year. That money will support 144 different projects, in 107 HEIs, and including additional capital leveraged by the initial investment, will deliver more than £370 million of capital activity. Payments will be made to higher education institutions on a quarterly basis, and the first instalment of £25 million was paid by HEFCE in May 2009. Examples of the projects accepted include: £6.4 million for a new arts building at Sussex; £3 million for a new building for the Centre for Immunology and Infection at York; £2.7 million for new mechanical engineering facilities at Imperial; and £2.6 million for chemical engineering and life sciences facilities at Sheffield. Over two-thirds of these projects are already under way.
	The further education capital programme has seen nearly 330 colleges and 700 projects benefit since 2001. Only 42 colleges have yet to benefit from investment. In 2008-09, more than 100 further education building projects were completed, as a result of nearly £550 million of investment, including the £110 million accelerated from future budgets. This money was spent to bring forward building work, benefiting learners and regenerating communities. Recent National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports have acknowledged the success of the further education capital programme, and its value for money.

Education: Prisons

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in prison received  (a) a student maintenance loan and  (b) a student grant in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: In his written statement on 7 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 85-86WS, on the Education (Student Support) Regulations the Secretary of State announced that he was amending the student support regulations to disallow prisoners who were also full-time students from receiving financial support for maintenance, thereby removing the long-standing provision which had allowed prisoners to claim such support.
	In a further written statement on 25 March 2008,  Official Report, column 6WS, he announced that an investigation showed that 154 individual prisoners had received some form of maintenance payment whilst a full time student since 1998. In total, prisoners received £570,000 in maintenance loans and £160,000 in maintenance grants over that period. The investigation also showed that assessments for student support were carried out in accordance with the rules that applied at the time. There was also evidence of some maintenance payments made to prisoners between 1990 and 1998.
	According to records held by the Student Loans Company no prisoners have applied for or received a maintenance loan toward their living costs in the academic year 2008/09.
	The following table gives a breakdown of the number of prisoners receiving maintenance loans and grants by academic year.
	
		
			  Prisoners receiving maintenance loans and grants( 1) 
			  Academic year  Number 
			 2003/04 18 
			 2004/05 21 
			 2005/06 32 
			 2006/07 48 
			 2007/08 44 
			 (1) The figures reflect the number of prisoners in each year who received a payment. In some cases, prisoners will have received payments in more than one year.

Exports: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies in Yorkshire and the Humber exported goods and services in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: HM Revenue and Customs publishes a regional breakdown for trade in goods. The number of companies in Yorkshire and the Humber region exporting in each year from 1997 is:
	
		
			   Exporters to EU  Exporters-non EU  Total exporter count 
			 1997 1,545 4,124 4,359 
			 1998 1,490 4,447 4,653 
			 1999 1,395 4,380 4,609 
			 2000 1,352 4,370 4,581 
			 2001 1,381 4,599 4,837 
			 2002 1,497 4,717 4,998 
			 2003 1,540 5,000 5,273 
			 2004 1,595 5,132 5,407 
			 2005 1,726 5,180 5,534 
			 2006 1,723 5,222 5,591 
			 2007 1,596 5,133 5,434 
			 2008 1,655 5,288 5,582

Foreign Investment in UK: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much foreign investment there has been in  (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and  (b) the City of York in each year since 2003; and what estimate he has made of the number of jobs generated.

Rosie Winterton: A total of 295 foreign direct investments have been recorded in the Yorkshire and Humber (YH) region since 2003, of which 27 were in the city of York. These are the foreign direct investments that Yorkshire Forward has been directly involved in.
	
		
			  Breakdown of foreign direct investments since April 2003 
			   Yorkshire and the Humber  York 
			 2003-04 24 2 
			 2004-05 43 3 
			 2005-06 29 6 
			 2006-07 41 2 
			 2007-08 76 3 
			 2008-09 82 11 
			 Total 295 27 
		
	
	Since 2003, the total number of new jobs created in the region as a result of the foreign direct investment totals 9,766. Of this total, 560.5 were in the city of York. The total number of jobs saved in the region as a result of foreign direct investment since 2003 totals 9,967. Of these, 23 were located in York.
	
		
			   YH new jobs  YH safeguarded jobs  York new jobs  York safeguarded jobs 
			 2003-04 2,356 460 53 0 
			 2004-05 2,596 1,207 10 3 
			 2005-06 1,700 1,021 21.5 0 
			 2006-07 699 1,034 85 0 
			 2007-08 1,141 2,562 87 0 
			 2008-09 1,274 3,683 304 20 
			 Total 9,766 9,967 560.5 23

Further Education: Energy

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what support his Department provides to further education colleges to improve their energy efficiency.

Kevin Brennan: We provide support through the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to enable further education colleges to benchmark their performance against the most efficient providers. These toolkits enable colleges to draw comparisons between their estates running costs, including energy costs. In the last spending review, colleges realised £48 million of efficiency savings from the more effective running and maintenance of its estate-which included lowered energy costs.
	The standards of environmental sustainability are increasing through a requirement for new college capital projects to meet BREEAM (the building research establishment environment assessment method) 'excellent' criteria introduced by the LSC in March 2008.
	The LSC also ran a pilot scheme with SALIX, which made available energy efficiency grants for small projects. The pilot showed that, in cash terms, colleges would be able to recoup their investment within 3.5 years through energy savings. We shall be working in partnership with colleges to examine the scope for them to make further efficiency gains in the future, including improving their energy efficiency.

Further Education: Finance

Andrew Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the timetable for the next phase of decisions on colleges' capital programmes is; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 6 July 2009
	After an open and transparent prioritisation exercise in consultation with the sector the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) announced which projects would proceed to the next stage of the process-a tough value for money challenge to reduce the cost of projects-on 26 June. The LSC have subsequently invited the 13 successful colleges to submit revised proposals by 22 July. As soon as credible cost reductions can be secured, final approvals will be accelerated in order for building to begin as soon as possible.
	For colleges which have not been selected to proceed this year, the next steps start this autumn when the LSC will further consult with the sector to agree a robust, fair and transparent process for prioritising the capital investment programme ready for the next spending review period.

Further Education: Finance

Andrew Selous: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the age is of  (a) the main site and  (b) any rebuilding or extension of each of the further education colleges (i) which received provision to proceed with their capital projects on 26 June 2009 and (ii) whose capital building programmes remain frozen.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 13 July 2009
	As independent institutions, further education colleges are responsible for the upkeep and development of their own estates. As such, the Government, via the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), makes available capital grant support to enable further education colleges to undertake such renewal and modernisation. Over this current spending review period, we will invest a record £2.6 billion in the further education sector.
	While in the provision of such grant, the LSC requires the respective college to provide details about its capital proposal-it does not require the college to state the age of its buildings. I am therefore unable to provide the hon. Member with the information requested as we, nor the LSC, collect it.

Further Education: Finance

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether Ministers played a role in decisions on which further education college building projects for which funding was frozen would be approved; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Under the Learning and Skills Act 2000, Ministers may not direct the LSC in its decision making regards individual capital approvals. Ministers have discussed with the LSC the overall approach, consistent with their responsibility for determining the strategic direction that the LSC should follow.
	Recent decisions made by the LSC regarding which further education college building projects would proceed to the next stage of the approvals process followed a robust and transparent assessment by independent consultants against prioritisation criteria that was agreed with the sector and that built upon the recommendations made by Sir Andrew Foster.

Graduates: Employment

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to improve the employment prospects of those graduating in 2009.

David Lammy: The Government are committed to helping new graduates improve their prospects for work in these challenging economic times. The key message is there are still jobs out there-but graduates will need to do their research thoroughly and take every opportunity to gain experience and build their CV. Graduates should take advantage of the professional support available from university careers services and look at all, job opportunities-including non-graduate jobs which can provide a route to their chosen careers.
	We are putting in place a range of options for graduates to build their employability skills and boost their CV-the Graduate Talent Pool which will allow graduates to match themselves to thousands of internships from a range of employers; more postgraduate study options; support through Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDLs); volunteering places and help with business start up or entrepreneurship training.

Graduates: Unemployment

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of graduates were unemployed three months after obtaining their degree in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: Information on destinations of graduates after three months is not available centrally. However, data are collected after six months and these form the basis of the response in the following table.
	From 1997 to 2002, leavers were asked to fill out the First Destination of Leavers survey. This changed to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey in 2003. The wording of the questionnaire changed in this year, as did the coverage to include part-time graduates as well as full-time. Therefore numbers before and after 2003 are not directly comparable.
	
		
			  UK domiciled first degree graduates assumed to be unemployed six months after leaving higher education 1997 no 2008 
			  Year graduated  Number unemployed  Total respondents  Percentage unemployed 
			 1997 11,905 171,280 6.9 
			 1998 9,920 172,660 5.7 
			 1999 9,715 176,205 5.5 
			 2000 9,335 170,735 5.5 
			 2001 11,050 176,405 6.3 
			 2002 12,110 176,375 6.9 
			 
			  Change in coverage and questionnaire
			 2003 13,135 196,155 6.7 
			 2004 12,450 200,740 6.2 
			 2005 12,795 202,655 6.3 
			 2006 12,555 204,105 6.2 
			 2007 11,450 203,225 5.6 
			 2008 17,360 213,270 8.1 
			  Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest five.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA)

Higher Education: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people  (a) applied and  (b) were accepted through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for a place on a higher education institution undergraduate course in each year since the service was established.

David Lammy: The information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Applicants and accepted applicants to full-time undergraduate courses via Universities and Colleges Admissions Service 1994 to 2008 
			  Academic year of entry  Applicants  Accepted applicants 
			 1994 405,117 270,898 
			 1995 419,442 290,596 
			 1996 418,400 295,807 
			 1997 458,781 336,338 
			 1998 446,457 329,788 
			 1999 442,931 334,594 
			 2000 442,028 339,747 
			 2001 453,833 358,041 
			 2002 461,365 368,115 
			 2003 476,467 374,307 
			 2004 486,028 377,544 
			 2005 522,155 405,369 
			 2006 506,304 390,890 
			 2007 534,495 413,430 
			 2008 588,689 456,627 
			  Source:  UCAS 
		
	
	In 2008 the nursing and midwifery admissions system (NMAS) was subsumed in to the UCAS application system and part of the increase from 2007 to 2008 can be attributed this factor. In 2008 there were 13,487 applicants who applied via UCAS to ex-NMAS courses only and 14,184 applicants who were accepted to former NMAS courses, the majority of whom were English domiciled (and NMAS was only for English institutions).

Industry: Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the effects of levels of work-related stress on the profitability of British industry; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	The Health and Safety Executive does not collect data on the effects of work-related stress on the profitability of British industry. However, HSE estimates the economic costs to society of work-related stress in the order of £4 billion a year (2009).
	HSE recognise that stress is a major cause of occupational ill health, leading to poor productivity and potential human error. Given the prevalence of work-related stress in Britain, HSE developed the Management Standards for Work-related stress in 2004. This approach is designed to address the key causes of stress at work and help employers, employees and their representatives manage the issue sensibly and minimise the impact on their business.

Innovation Fund

Tony Baldry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether funding from the new Innovation Fund will be available to  (a) public and  (b) private sector companies.

David Lammy: The UK Innovation Investment Fund will invest in a small number of specialist technology funds. These funds will invest in strategically-important companies in life sciences, clean technologies, digital and advanced manufacturing. Investments in individual companies will ultimately be a commercial decision for the fund manager based on the investment opportunity, the potential risk and the current investment portfolio. These companies may be publicly or privately owned.

Insolvency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies were declared insolvent in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) England and Wales in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007 and (iv) 2008.

Ian Lucas: It is not possible to answer part  (a) of the question asked because statistics covering corporate insolvencies are not currently available at sub-national level within England and Wales. The following table gives the number of corporate insolvencies by insolvency procedure type in England and Wales for the period requested.
	
		
			  Number 
			   Compulsory liquidations  Creditors' voluntary liquidations (CVLs)( 1)  Receivership appointments  Administrations( 3)  Company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) 
			 2005 5,233 8,341 590 2,261 604 
			 2006 5,418 8,633 588 3,560 534 
			 2007 5,165 8,437 337 2,512 418 
			 2008 5,494 11,034 867 4,822 587 
			 (1) Includes CVLs following administration.  (2) Includes Law of Property Act receiverships. Receivership figures from 2007 are not consistent with those for the earlier period.  (3) Includes administrator appointments prior to Enterprise Act 2002 and administrations under Enterprise Act 2002.

Insolvency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies went into administration in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) England and Wales in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007 and (iv) 2008.

Ian Lucas: It is not possible to answer part  (a) of the question asked because statistics covering corporate insolvencies are not currently available at sub-national level within England and Wales. The following table gives the number of administrations in England and Wales for the period requested:
	
		
			  Administrations( 1) 
			   Number 
			 2005 2,261 
			 2006 3,560 
			 2007 2,512 
			 2008 4,822 
			 (1) Includes administrator appointments prior to Enterprise Act 2002 and administrations under Enterprise Act 2002.

Insolvency Service: Marketing

John Penrose: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much the Insolvency Service spent on advertising and marketing in each of the last five years.

Ian Lucas: The Insolvency Service on has not spent anything on advertising and marketing in the last five years, therefore, the answer is nil.

Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 2002

Peter Luff: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  whether his Department has conducted research on the size of companies bringing forward cases under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 2002; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many cases brought under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 2002 have been heard in court in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Ministry of Justice does not hold any statistical information about court applications (including Scotland) relating specifically to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 2002.
	This is because the administrative computer systems used in the courts do not presently identify these specific application types. While the relevant cases will be logged on the system, they cannot be distinguished from other types of claims issued. Changing the administrative systems to create specific case types for these types of cases would incur disproportionate cost.

Literacy: Young Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many young offenders in prison have been recorded as improving their standard of literacy during their sentence in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The data provided is from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) showing the number of literacy enrolments and achievements by young offenders aged 15 to 17 and 18 to 21 for the academic years August 2006 to July 2007 and August 2007 to July 2008. The data collected records the number of literacy enrolments in a year rather than individual learners. As learners may enrol on more than one literacy course in any year, and may achieve at one level and progress to the next level, the number of enrolments and achievements does not represent individual learners.
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is responsible for the provision of education in prison and young offender institutions for learners over the age of 18, with the Department for Children, Families and Schools having responsibility for 15 to 17-year-olds. As both sets of data have been supplied by the LSC, they are included for completeness.
	
		
			   Age group 
			   15 to 17  18 to 21 
			 Literacy enrolments for the 2006-07 academic year 6,186 8,366 
			 Literacy achievements for the 2006-07 academic year 1,303 2,336 
			
			 Literacy enrolments for the 2007-08 academic year 6,386 10,567 
			 Literacy achievements for the 2007-08 academic year 1,660 3,357 
		
	
	The information for the 2006/07 academic year may include a small number of enrolments by young offenders serving community sentences because the LSC started recording the custody and community provision separately from the 2007/08 academic year onwards. There is no comparable data prior to 2006 before the LSC became responsible for capturing and recording the information.

Mail Order Selling

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on enforcement action by the Office of Fair Trading in circumstances where companies repeatedly distribute mail order catalogues containing illegal claims about health products.

Kevin Brennan: This Department has received no such representations.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead, on the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme, dated 13 April 2009, transferred to his Department from HM Treasury.

Rosie Winterton: I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member. My noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Economics Competitiveness, Small Business and Enterprise will respond shortly.

Migrant Workers: Burnley

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many employers in Burnley have had enforcement action taken against them for employing illegal migrant workers in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	No illegal working enforcement operations were conducted in Burnley during the period from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007.
	Two illegal working enforcement operations were conducted in Burnley during the period from 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008.
	Four illegal working enforcement operations were conducted in Burnley during the period from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009.
	No employers in Burnley have been subject to criminal prosecution under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 or section 21 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 for employing illegal migrant workers in each of the last five years.
	One employer was served with a civil penalty under section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 in August 2008.
	No information relating to enforcement action taken against employers in Burnley for employing illegal migrant workers is available for the period prior to 1 April 2006.

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what the average undiscounted retail price has been to date of cars sold under the car scrappage scheme;
	(2)  how many sales of cars of each make have attracted support from the car scrappage scheme to date.

Ian Lucas: holding answer 9 June 2009
	 38 manufacturers including makers of the UK best selling cars have signed up to the scheme. Motorists are being offered £2,000 towards a new car or van (up to 3.5 tonnes) if they trade in vehicles they have owned for 12 month plus and which are older than 10 years for scrappage. The £2,000 grant is made up of £1,000 from government with matched funding from industry.
	Figures are not available on how many sales of each brand have been supported by the scheme. However, The Prime Minister and my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills announced on 29 May 2009 that 60,000 scrappage orders had been placed since the scheme was announced. Government do not routinely collect figures on the average retail price of vehicles sold with or without support from the scheme.

National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions the Secretary of State and his predecessor had with representatives from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts in the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: holding answer 13 July 2009
	 My noble Friend the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills met the chair of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) on 2 June 2008.
	In addition, the Minister for Science and Innovation has met regularly with NESTA representatives in the last two years.

National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills who is responsible for making appointments to the Board of Trustees of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts.

David Lammy: holding answer 13 July 2009
	 The appointment of the chair of the Board of Trustees and the Arts Trustee are made jointly by the Secretaries of State for the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. All other appointments are made by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills.

National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people are employed by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA); what the annual salary cost is of  (a) all NESTA employees and  (b) its senior management team.

David Lammy: holding answer 13 July 2009
	 At 31 March 2009, NESTA employed 92 people, covering the equivalent of 88 full-time posts.
	In the year to 31 March 2009, salaries for all NESTA staff totalled £4,150,960, and salaries for the senior management team totalled £584,639.

National Vocational Qualifications: Construction

Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on Government-funded National Vocational Qualification courses in the construction industry in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: Funding for further education and skills is administered by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
	The LSC agrees indicative budgets with colleges and providers prior to the start of the academic year based on the expected delivery of an overall volume of learning. The actual funding paid will depend on the choice of learning area made by employers and learners. As funding is not allocated at an individual course level, details of the amount made available to support specific qualifications in this sector are not held centrally in the Department.
	Training in the construction industry is also part- funded through a levy raised on employers by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to finance their activities and share the cost of training more evenly between companies. In 2008 the amount of levy income was £181 million.
	We have agreed a Train to Gain Sector Compact with the construction sector which will make available £133 million over three years to meet the identified priority skills needs of the industry focused on economic renewal and future growth.

Non-domestic Rates

Brian Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent estimate is of the percentage of businesses which claim small business rate relief.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) on 8 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 909-10W.

Non-domestic Rates: Rural Areas

Brian Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  which local authorities in rural areas are providing more than 50 per cent. rural rate relief to small businesses;
	(2)  which local authorities in rural areas are providing 100 per cent. rural rate relief to small businesses.

Rosie Winterton: Following is a list of authorities in England that are regarded as being rural under the DEFRA Classification of local authorities in England for 2007-08 that reported awarding rural rate relief in 2007-08.
	Mandatory rural rate relief is awarded at 50 per cent. of a property's non-domestic rates bill. In addition, local authorities can awarded discretionary rural rate relief that tops up the relief granted to up to 100 per cent. of the property's rates bill. It is not possible to award more than 100 per cent. relief.
	 List of authorities in England that are regarded as being rural under the DEFRA Classification of local authorities in England for 2007-08 that reported awarding rural rate relief in 2007-08
	Allerdale
	Alnwick
	Amber Valley
	Ashford
	Aylesbury Vale
	Babergh
	Barnsley
	Basingstoke and Deane
	Bassetlaw
	Bath and North East Somerset
	Bedford
	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	Blyth Valley
	Bolsover
	Boston
	Braintree
	Breckland
	Brentwood
	Bridgnorth
	Broadland
	Bromsgrove
	Calderdale
	Caradon
	Carlisle
	Carrick
	Castle Morpeth
	Charnwood
	Chelmsford
	Cherwell
	Chester
	Chichester
	Chiltern
	Colchester
	Congleton
	Copeland
	Cotswold
	Craven
	Crewe and Nantwich
	Daventry
	Derbyshire Dales
	Derwentside
	Doncaster
	Dover
	Durham
	Easington
	East Cambridgeshire
	East Devon
	East Dorset
	East Hampshire
	East Hertfordshire
	East Lindsey
	East Northamptonshire
	East Riding of Yorkshire
	East Staffordshire
	Eden
	Fenland
	Forest Heath
	Forest of Dean
	Great Yarmouth
	Guildford
	Hambleton
	Harborough
	Harrogate
	Hart
	Herefordshire
	High Peak
	Hinckley and Bosworth
	Horsham
	Huntingdonshire
	Isle of Wight
	Isles of Scilly
	Kennet
	Kerrier
	Kettering
	Kings Lynn and West Norfolk
	Lancaster
	Lewes
	Lichfield
	Macclesfield
	Maidstone
	Maldon
	Malvern Hills
	Melton
	Mendip
	Mid Bedfordshire
	Mid Devon
	Mid Suffolk
	Mid Sussex
	New Forest
	Newark and Sherwood
	North Cornwall
	North Devon
	North Dorset
	North East Derbyshire
	North Hertfordshire
	North Kesteven
	North Lincolnshire
	North Norfolk
	North Shropshire
	North Somerset
	North Warwickshire
	North West Leicestershire
	North Wiltshire
	Oswestry
	Penwith
	Purbeck
	Restormel
	Ribble Valley
	Richmondshire
	Rother
	Rugby
	Rushcliffe
	Rutland
	Ryedale
	Salisbury
	Scarborough
	Sedgefield
	Sedgemoor
	Selby
	Sevenoaks
	Shepway
	Shrewsbury and Atcham
	South Bucks
	South Cambridgeshire
	South Derbyshire
	South Hams
	South Holland
	South Kesteven
	South Lakeland
	South Norfolk
	South Northamptonshire
	South Oxfordshire
	South Shropshire
	South Somerset
	South Staffordshire
	St. Edmundsbury
	Stafford
	Staffordshire Moorlands
	Stratford-on-Avon
	Stroud
	Suffolk Coastal
	Swale
	Tandridge
	Taunton Deane
	Teesdale
	Teignbridge
	Tendring
	Test Valley
	Tewkesbury
	Tonbridge and Malling
	Torridge
	Tunbridge Wells
	Tynedale
	Uttlesford
	Vale of White Horse
	Vale Royal
	Warwick
	Waveney
	Waverley
	Wealden
	Wear Valley
	Wellingborough
	West Berkshire
	West Devon
	West Dorset
	West Lancashire
	West Lindsey
	West Oxfordshire
	West Somerset
	West Wiltshire
	Winchester
	Wychavon
	Wycombe
	Wyre Forest
	Data are as reported on audited national non-domestic rates (NNDR) 3 forms completed by all billing authorities in England.
	Rural authorities were defined as those authorities that fell into the Significant Rural, Rural-50 or Rural-80 categories of the DEFRA Classification of Local Authorities in England 2007-08.

North West Development Agency: Public Appointments

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when the Secretary of State expects to appoint a new Chair of the North West Development Agency.

Rosie Winterton: Before long.

Office of Fair Trading: Freedom of Information

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which requests for information received by the Office of Fair Trading under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in 2008 were  (a) classified as not resolvable and  (b) refused in full.

Kevin Brennan: In 2008, of the requests for information received by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000,  (a) three were appealed to the Information Commissioner after an Internal Review and  (b) 152 were refused in full. The OFT receives a significant number of requests relating to complaints received by the OFT; the disclosure of this information is prohibited under the Enterprise Act 2002 and as a consequence is subject to the absolute exemption from disclosure under section 44 of the Freedom of Information Act. Where the OFT is unable to provide the information requested, it seeks to provide any advice or information that would be helpful to the requester.

Prisoners: Higher Education

George Galloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many of those who were released from prison in each year from 2000 to 2006  (a) did and  (b) did not achieve a degree while in prison.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 29 June 2009
	The National Offender Management Service, or any other agency, does not collect educational attainment data of prisoners on release. The following table records details of those discharged from prison (excluding those deported without sentence):
	
		
			  England and Wales  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Males and Females 
			 Prisoners discharged from determinate sentences on completion of sentence or on licence-adults 69,500 71,500 69,800 65,900 
			 Prisoners discharged from determinate sentences on completion of sentence or on licence-young offenders 15,500 14,800 14,500 12,500 
			 First releases from prison on life licence 223 205 200 135 
		
	
	The following table details the number of OU degrees achieved by prisoners while serving their sentence. Information on degrees awarded by other higher education institutions is not collected centrally.
	
		
			   Number of prisoners achieving OU degrees 
			 2000 11 
			 2001 17 
			 2002 13 
			 2003 16 
			 2004 17 
			 2005 22 
			 2006 25 
		
	
	It is not possible to say whether prisoners achieving a degree were released in the same year of achieving it.

Prisoners: Higher Education

George Galloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many prisoners gained a degree while in prison in  (a) 2000,  (b) 2001,  (c) 2002,  (d) 2003,  (e) 2004,  (f) 2005,  (g) 2006 and  (h) 2007.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 29 June 2009
	The number of offenders gaining Open University degrees while in prison, broken down by year, is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2000 11 
			 2001 17 
			 2002 13 
			 2003 16 
			 2004 17 
			 2005 22 
			 2006 25 
			 2007 16 
		
	
	Information on degree qualifications awarded by other higher education institutions is not collected centrally.

Public Houses: Closures

Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many public houses have closed in each region in each of the last three years; and how many of these were  (a) managed houses,  (b) tenanted or leased houses and  (c) freehouses.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what estimate has been made of how many public houses have closed in each region in each of the last three years; and how many of these were (a) managed houses, (b) tenanted or leased houses and (c) freehouses. (288776).
	Annual statistics on business births, deaths and survival are available from the ONS release on Business Demography. The attached table contains the count of enterprise deaths for each of these categories, for the latest three years available.
	
		
			  Count of enterprise deaths by SIC 55402,55403 and 55404 for 2005 - 07 
			   55402-Independent Public Houses and Bars  55403-Tenanted Public Houses and Bars  55404-Managed Public Houses and Bars 
			  2005
			 North East 315 85 5 
			 Northwest 585 565 50 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 790 175 25 
			 East Midlands 700 160 25 
			 West Midlands 445 495 40 
			 East of England 510 240 30 
			 London 320 135 40 
			 South East 695 335 45 
			 Southwest 670 245 30 
			 Wales 480 105 15 
			 Scotland 570 45 10 
			 Northern Ireland 100 0 0 
			 
			  2006
			 North East 255 75 5 
			 Northwest 525 475 75 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 675 175 15 
			 East Midlands 540 155 30 
			 West Midlands 395 405 45 
			 East Midlands 515 210 35 
			 London 295 105 30 
			 South East 585 325 60 
			 South West 565 215 35 
			 Wales 400 120 10 
			 Scotland 460 45 5 
			 Northern Ireland 90 5 5 
			 
			  2007
			 North East 260 80 0 
			 North West 530 490 80 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 680 150 15 
			 East Midlands 570 190 25 
			 West Midlands 370 375 55 
			 East Midlands 450 210 40 
			 London 290 110 40 
			 South East 585 350 55 
			 South West 595 225 30 
			 Wales 380 110 5 
			 Scotland 475 40 5 
			 Northern Ireland 80 5 0

Redundancy: Females

Steve Webb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of those made redundant in each of the last 12 months were women by  (a) region and  (b) age.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of those made redundant in each of the last 12 months were women by (a) region and (b) age. (287328)
	The attached tables provide estimates for the information requested for the latest four quarters from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Monthly data are not available.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the tables are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. They are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics Statistical Bulletin which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Proportion of people aged 16 and over made redundant( 1)  who were women by region, three-month periods ending June, September, December and March: 2008 to 2009, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Percentage 
			Region 
			North East  North West  Yorkshire and Humberside  East Midlands  West Midlands  Eastern  London 
			 2008 Q2 40 37 42 46 50 39 33 
			  Q3 47 35 36 39 46 43 63 
			  Q4 25 35 28 32 27 26 55 
			  
			 2009 Q1 28 36 38 32 37 39 34 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage 
			Region 
			South East  South West  Wales  Scotland  Northern  Ireland  Total 
			 2008 Q2 39 30 38 60 53 42 
			  Q3 33 38 40 60 (2)- 42 
			  Q4 40 26 (2)- 24 (2)- 31 
			 
			 2009 Q1 41 36 22 26 27 34 
		
	
	
		
			  Proportion of people aged 16 and over made redundant( 1)  who were women by age, three-month periods ending June, September, December and March: 2008 to 2009, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Percentage 
			Age 
			16-24  25-34  35-49  50-59  60 and over  Total 
			 2008 Q2 50 37 43 41 30 42 
			  Q3 32 29 52 49 44 42 
			  Q4 23 26 39 32 34 31 
			 
			 2009 Q1 32 34 35 43 25 34 
			 (1) Includes those who have been made redundant in the three months prior to their LFS interview. (2) Sample size too small for reliable estimates.  Note: It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.)  Source: Labour Force Survey.

Regional Development Agencies: Expenditure

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions the Secretary of State has had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on levels of funding allocated by regional development agencies for expenditure on support for the tourism industry.

Rosie Winterton: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) contributes towards the regional development agencies' (RDAs) single programme budget. The single programme budget, once allocated, is available to the RDAs to deliver regional priorities identified in their regional economic strategies and the challenging targets set by them in the corporate plans. RDAs are currently revising their corporate plans and DCMS are involved in this process.

Regional Development Agencies: Finance

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what provisional budget his Department has set for regional development agencies in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The regional development agencies have an indicative budget of £1.8 billion for 2010-11, and no budgets have been indicated to them beyond that period.

Regional Development Agencies: Pensions

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much was paid in employer pension contributions to  (a) the Chief Executive and  (b) each board member of each regional development agency in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 4 June 2009
	 The financial value of the employer pension contribution made to both RDA chief executives and RDA chairs are detailed in the tables. RDA board members do not receive a pension from the RDA. The data have been rounded up/down, as appropriate and exclude London, which is the responsibility of the Mayor.
	
		
			  AWM 
			   CEX  Chair 
			 2005/06 29,773 18,911 
			 2006/07 17,574 19,995 
			 2007/08 36,676 20,127 
		
	
	
		
			  EEDA 
			   CEX  Chair 
			 2005/06 26,000 18,991 
			 2006/07 28,000 19,881 
			 2007/08 29,000 20,127 
		
	
	
		
			  emda 
			   CEX  Chair 
			 2005/06 27,084 18,991 
			 2006/07 27,693 18,329 
			 2007/08 28,764 17,258 
		
	
	
		
			  NWDA 
			   CEX  Chair 
			 2005/06 19,245 8,849 
			 2006/07 27,693 16,615 
			 2007/08 28,764 28,000 
		
	
	
		
			  ONE 
			   CEX  Chair 
			 2005/06 25,250 18,911 
			 2006/07 32,729 19,881 
			 2007/08 33,187 20,127 
		
	
	
		
			  SEEDA 
			   CEX  Chair( 1) 
			 2005/06 37,303 0 
			 2006/07 39,535 0 
			 2007/08 40,182 0 
			 (1) The chair has been in post since December 2002 and is the only board member eligible to receive pension contributions. Employer contributions of £104,344, based on the civil service pension scheme rates, were paid to the chair's personal pension scheme in December 2008 to cover contributions from December 2002 to December 2008 when he was due to retire. 
		
	
	
		
			  South West RDA 
			   CEX  Chair 
			 2005/06 25,978 18,911 
			 2006/07 29,666 19,881 
			 2007/08 28,764 20,127 
		
	
	
		
			  Yorkshire Forward 
			   CEX  Chair 
			 2005/06 32,000 20,739 
			 2006/07 (1)28,000 19,881 
			 2007/08 (1)29,000 20,127 
			 (1) During this period there was a time of overlap where YF had two CEOs. In 2005/06 the outgoing CEX claimed £28,000 while the incoming CEX claimed £4,000 and in 2006/07 the incoming CEX claimed £27,000 while the outgoing claimed £1,000.

Retail Trade: Kent

John Whittingdale: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when his Department intends to consult on the wider application of the Kent County Council Act 2001 and the Medway Council Act 2001 for the regulation of markets and occasional sales.

Kevin Brennan: A consultation on measures to tighten the regulation of markets and occasional sales was recommended in the Gower Review of intellectual property. However, the Department's resources are limited and current efforts are focused on providing targeted help and protection for consumers struggling to make ends meet as a result of the global downturn. It is therefore not possible to give a specific timeframe for implementing this recommendation.

Skilled Workers

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to increase levels of management skills among employers.

Kevin Brennan: The Train To Gain Leadership and Management programme provides support and funding for senior managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access personalised training that meets their development needs. Specialist advisers work with individuals to understand their needs and recommend suitable opportunities. A grant of up to £1,000 can be allocated for employers to spend on any leadership and management development activity deemed appropriate. As part of the Government's package of support developed for SMEs in the economic downturn, the leadership and management programme is now available to all employers with between five and 249 employees.
	The Government are increasing investment in Train to Gain. This will rise to over £1 billion by 2010-11.

Skilled Workers: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the skills base in Milton Keynes.

Kevin Brennan: The Department utilises data and advice from the UKCES and the National Employer Skills Survey to provide a national level picture of skills needs. Information is also available on a regional basis. However, the Department would look to our key partners, regional development agencies and local authorities to work closely with Sector Skills Councils and employers in order to identify skills needs in more defined geographical areas.

South East England Development Agency: Redundancy Pay

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much the South East England Development Agency has paid out in redundancy payments in the last 24 months; and how much each individual payment was.

Rosie Winterton: SEEDA has made 33 individual redundancy payments, totalling £663,659.54, between July 2007 and June 2009. These payments have been made as a result of the completion of projects and programmes and the need to restructure teams to focus on new goals requiring different skill sets. Individual payments are listed as follows:
	£80,891.90
	£49,897.34
	£46,174.15
	£43,601.33
	£36,038.14
	£34,285.07
	£27,194.50
	£24,787.31
	£24,539.85
	£23,977.98
	£23,545.60
	£23,497.64
	£23,489.37
	£19,481.68
	£17,620.82
	£16,893.12
	£16,023.72
	£12,844.43
	£12,119.94
	£11,180.73
	£10,121.15
	£8,699.71
	£8,638.16
	£8,469.91
	£8,445.29
	£8,132.01
	£7,718.75
	£7,462.54
	£7,318.59
	£7,292.02
	£6,541.63
	£3,968.45
	£2,766.71

South East England Development Agency: Redundancy Pay

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the South East England Development Agency takes account of service in previous public sector employment when calculating redundancy payments for individuals.

Rosie Winterton: SEEDA is bound by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme for calculating redundancy payments and SEEDA includes service in previous public sector employment in calculating redundancy payments where such service satisfies the rules of the scheme.

Students: Fees and Charges

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of ending tuition fees for first degree  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time undergraduates.

David Lammy: There are no plans to end tuition fees for either full-time or part-time undergraduate students studying at English Higher Education institutions. Such fees generate an income of around £3 billion annually for Higher Education institutions and it helps them to tackle the challenges Government identified when introducing the new fee and student support arrangements to maintain and improve high standards, to expand and widen access to meet rising skills needs, and to compete globally. Both the number of overall entrants to higher education and those from low participation neighbourhoods has increased since the introduction of tuition fees in 2006.

Students: Loans

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many live accounts the Student Loans Company holds in respect of which no repayment is being received; what the reasons are for which no repayments are being made; and how many live accounts are not receiving repayments for each such reason.

David Lammy: holding answer 14 July 2009
	The information requested is published in table 2(ii) for mortgage-style loans and in table 2(iii) for income contingent loans of the Statistical First Release entitled Student Loans for Higher Education in England, Financial Year 2008-09 (provisional) which is available at:
	http://www.slc.co.uk/pdf/slcsfr022009.pdf
	A copy has been placed in the House Library.

Students: Loans

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of students enrolled on their first degree course have received a tuition fee loan in each year since 2006.

David Lammy: holding answer 14 July 2009
	The latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that 981,500 English-domiciled students studying in UK and EU students studying in England enrolled on their first degree in academic year 2006-07 and 1,000,000 in 2007-08. Figures for the 2008-09 academic year will be available in January 2010.
	The latest figures published by the Student Loans Company show that 397,300 of English-domiciled students studying in UK and EU students studying in England received a tuition fee loan in academic year 2006-07, 553,600 in 2007-08 and 713,700 in 2008-09 (provisional figures).
	The figures are not directly comparable. The HESA figures cover students who enrolled in their first degree and include part-time students whereas the SLC figures cover students who also enrolled in their sub-degree and only cover a small proportion of part-time students i.e. Initial Teacher Training students.

Students: Loans

Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many EU-domiciled students have received a tuition fee loan in each year since 2006.

David Lammy: holding answer 14 July 2009
	The information requested is published in the Statistical First Release entitled Student Support for Higher Education in England, Academic Year 2008/09 (provisional) which is available at:
	http://www.slc.co.uk/pdf/slcsfr052008.pdf
	A copy has been placed in the House Library.
	Tuition fee loans were first introduced in academic year 2006/07. Each academic year the new cohort of students becomes eligible to apply for this loan, thereby increasing the total number of EU-domiciled students who have a tuition fee loan.

Students: Loans

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of eligible students took out  (a) a maintenance loan only,  (b) a tuition fees loan only and  (c) loans for both for maintenance and tuition from the Student Loans Company in the most recent academic year for which figures are available.

David Lammy: In 2006/07 the estimated proportion of eligible English domiciled students studying in the UK who took out a maintenance loan is 80 per cent. The information is available at table 4A of the Statistical First Release by the Student Loans Company entitled Student Support for Higher Education in England, Academic Year 2008/09 (Provisional) which is available at:
	http://www.slc.co.uk/pdf/slcsfr052008.pdf
	A copy is available in the House Library.
	It is not possible for us to determine the proportions for the further two categories because the population eligible for tuition fee loans, as opposed to tuition fee grants, cannot be estimated in a robust manner.
	As at 31 March 2009, the number of English domiciled borrowers studying in the UK and EU domiciled borrowers studying in England in 2007/08 who had taken out loans is as follows:
	52,100 tuition fee loans only;
	237,000 maintenance loans only
	514,000 tuition and maintenance loans.
	Tuition fee loans were introduced in 2006/07 so these figures represent an early stage in the process.

Train to Gain Programme

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of people from the North East registered for Train to Gain courses but who have not yet commenced their training.

Kevin Brennan: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) delivers the Train to Gain programme on behalf of the Department. It counts the number of learners who register for Train to Gain at the point where they formally start on programmes. However, there is no formal registration process before a learner starts and therefore no central mechanism is in place to measure the number of people registering an interest.
	The LSC is working closely with providers to support ongoing new starts for the remainder of the 2008/09 academic year where providers are within their maximum contract value. Maximum contract values for 2009/10 academic year will be finalised during June.

Train to Gain Programme: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people resident in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire have successfully completed a Train to Gain course in each year of its operation.

Kevin Brennan: The table shows the number of Train to Gain achievements by people living in Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency and Hertfordshire local authority.
	
		
			  Train to Gain achievements 
			   Hertfordshire local authority  Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency 
			 2005/06 100 - 
			 2006/07 800 70 
			 2007/08 2,800 330 
			  Notes: 1. Geographic area is based on learner's home postcode. 2. Numbers within a local authority have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Numbers within a parliamentary constituency have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: TtG ILR

UK Trade and Investment: Manpower

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) staff had at least one year's experience in the commercial sector prior to joining UKTI.

Ian Lucas: Neither the Department nor UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) holds centrally the information requested and it could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	However, people working for UK Trade and Investment do have considerable commercial and business experience. Five out of six members of the UKTI Executive Team and all three of its non-executive directors have business experience as do most of the local staff based in Foreign and Commonwealth Office Posts overseas (some 1,100) and nearly all the International Trade Advisors (just under 300) based in the nine English Regions. UKTI also has a programme of secondments both to and from the private sector.

Unemployment

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2009,  Official Report, column 420W, on unemployment, how many and what percentage of persons in each category not in education, employment or training in the first quarter of 2009 were  (a) male and  (b) female.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 14 July 2009
	The following table shows the number and proportion of people aged(1) 16 to 18 and 19 to 24 not in education, employment or training in England, split by male and female. These estimates are from the Quarter 1 2009 Labour Force Survey.
	
		
			  Numbers not in education, employment or training, Q1 2009 
			   Male  Female 
			  Age group  NEET  Percentage  NEET  Percentage 
			 16-18 123,000 12.3 97,000 10.2 
			 19-24 314,000 15.3 401,000 20.0 
			 (1) Age used is academic age, which is the age of the respondent as at the preceding 31 August.  Base: England only  Source: Labour Force Survey Q1 2009

Unemployment

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of people aged between 18 and 24 years were not in education, employment or training in the first quarter of each year since 2000.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 14 July 2009
	The following table shows the number and percentage of people aged(1) 18 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England. These estimates are from the Quarter 1 Labour Force Survey (LFS).
	NEET estimates are not available from LFS datasets prior to Quarter 2 2000 due to incomplete data.
	
		
			  18 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training 
			  Quarter 1  NEET  Percentage 
			 2001 574,000 14.4 
			 2002 592,000 14.7 
			 2003 612,000 14.9 
			 2004 572,000 13.4 
			 2005 618,000 14.2 
			 2006 674,000 15.2 
			 2007 711,000 15.6 
			 2008 707,000 15.2 
			 2009 827,000 17.6 
			 (1 )Age used is academic age, which is the respondents' age at the preceding 31 August.  Base: 18 to 24-year-olds, England  Source: Q1 Labour Force Survey

Unemployment

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what percentage of 16 to 24 year olds were not in education, employment or training in the second quarter of each year since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 16 July 2009
	The following table shows the number and percentage of people aged(1) 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England. These estimates are from the Quarter 2 Labour Force Survey (LFS).
	NEET estimates are not available from LFS datasets prior to Quarter 2 2000 due to incomplete data. Quarter 2 2009 data are due to be published by DCSF on 18 August.
	
		
			  16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training 
			  Q uarter  2  NEET  Percentage 
			 2000 655,000 12.8 
			 2001 644,000 12.4 
			 2002 703,000 13.3 
			 2003 708,000 13.1 
			 2004 697,000 12.6 
			 2005 771,000 13.5 
			 2006 851,000 14.8 
			 2007 833,000 14.2 
			 2008 840,000 14.0 
			 (1) Age used is academic age, which is the respondents' age at the preceding 31 August.  Base: 16 to 24-year-olds, England  Source: Q2 Labour Force Survey

Vocational Training

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage employers to increase skills levels among their employees.

Kevin Brennan: It is now even more important that we give employers the real help they need to invest in training for their staff so that they can survive the economic downturn and emerge to take advantage of new opportunities when the upturn comes.
	Train to Gain is a service for employers which gives them access to a wider range of opportunities for improving the skills of their employees and the productivity of their business. Through Train to Gain employers can access:
	A brokerage service to help identify the business' skills needs at all levels and source high quality, vocational skills training, including apprenticeships, delivered at a time and place to suit the business.
	Government funding for skills training to sit alongside their own financial contribution. This includes a subsidy of up to 100 per cent. for literacy and numeracy and first full level 2 qualifications, and a fully funded offer for 19 to 25-year-olds up to level 3.
	A flexible offer, responsive to and tailored to sector-based variations through sector compacts, and with relaxed funding rules for small and medium-sized enterprises.
	The Government are increasing investment in Train to Gain to over £1 billion by 2010-11. Since its launch in 2006, Train to Gain has engaged with 143,000 employers and helped 1.25 million people to start training.
	Funding for apprenticeships has increased by almost a quarter since 2007/08 with just over £1 billion available in 2009-10. In January this year, the Prime Minister announced a package for an additional 35,000 apprenticeship places in 2009-10. The number of people starting apprenticeships has increased from 65,000 in 1996/97 to 225,000 in 2007/08.

Vocational Training

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of providing 40 per cent. of the workforce with the opportunity to attain a level 4 qualification by 2020.

Kevin Brennan: It is not possible to build a meaningful estimate of the long-term costs of this goal, given the time span in question and the fact that we do not know the outcome of the 2009 Fees Commission.
	Latest labour force survey data shows that just over 31 per cent. of the working age population are qualified to level 4 or above-a generally upward trend from about 25 per cent. eight years ago. We are on target to achieve 40 per cent. by 2020.

Vocational Training: Finance

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department plans to spend on skills funding in  (a) England and  (b) Wales in 2009-10.

Kevin Brennan: Planned expenditure by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills on adult further education (FE) and skills for 2009-10 in England is £5.2 billion. The Department is not responsible for further education and skills in Wales, which is devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Vocational Training: Trade Unions

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to involve trade unions in initiatives to increase skills levels.

Kevin Brennan: Trade unions are making a key contribution to our efforts to raise skill levels in the workplace. Unions and their union learning representatives (ULRs) are uniquely placed to engage with those hard to reach workers with few skills or low confidence in their own ability who employers find it so difficult to reach. To help them do this, we introduced the Union Learning Fund (ULF) in 1998 and will be providing £21.5 million to support this budget in 2009-10.
	With the help of ULF, unions and their ULRs have now helped over 800,000 people into learning through a wide range of innovative partnership projects with employers to tackle both organisational and individual skill needs. In 2006, with the Government's support, the TUC established 'unionlearn' to provide additional support and training for ULRs and to maximise the trade union contribution to our efforts to improve work force skills at all levels.
	Over 22,000 union learning reps have now been trained and are playing a vital role in helping to combat the economic downturn by providing workers at risk of or facing redundancy with advice and guidance about the wide range of support available to help them improve their skills and employment prospects.

Voluntary Work

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess  (a) the prevalence of unpaid work in the public and private sectors and  (b) the effect of such work on the economy.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, July 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking  (a) the prevalence of unpaid work in the public and private sectors and  (b) the effect of such work on the economy. (285426)
	Estimates of the number of people doing unpaid work and the amount of unpaid work they do are available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). They relate to the number of people in paid employment whose working week includes unpaid overtime, and those people who are unpaid family workers. The attached table provides detail on unpaid work in the public and private sector in terms of number of people, and hours worked, for the latest data available relating to Quarter 1 2009.
	Estimates of the effect of unpaid work on the economy are not available. However, the proportion of these unpaid workers and the hours worked as a percentage of total employment are included to give an indication of the prevalence of this in the labour market.
	The estimates are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. They are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics Statistical Bulletin, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Unpaid work in the public and private sector( 1) , ( 2) : Quarter 1, 2009 United Kingdom: Not seasonally adjusted 
			   Private sector  Public sector  Total( 1) 
			   Number (thousand)  Total usual weekly hours (million)  Average usual weekly hours (per person  Number (thousand)  Total usual weekly hours (million)  Average usual weekly hours (per person  Number (thousand)  Total usual weekly hours (million)  Average usual weekly hours (per person 
			 People who usually work unpaid overtime 3,593 26.3 7 1,803 13.0 7 *5,400 39.3 7 
			 Unpaid family workers 87 1.3 16 n/a n/a n/a *87 1.3 16 
			 Total 3,679 27.6 8 1,803 13.0 7 *5,487 40.8 8 
			 As percentage of the total for all in employment 17 4 n/a 25 5 n/a 19 4 n/a 
			 n/a = Not applicable. (1 )Includes those who did not state whether they worked in the public or private sector. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below.  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness * 0 ≤ CV5 Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes  Source: Annual Population Survey and Annual Labour Force Survey 
		
	
	It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people In most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels mobile home sites etc.)

York College: Finance

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what budget his Department has provided for York College in  (a) cash and  (b) real terms in each year since 2004.

Kevin Brennan: Funding for post-16 further education (FE) and skills in England is allocated to FE colleges and providers by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The following table shows the funding that has been allocated to York College by the LSC, for both young people and adults, in each of the years requested, alongside the corresponding real terms value of these allocations:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Cash allocation( 1)  Real terms( 2) 
			 2004-05 16,570,839 18,252,637 
			 2005-06 18,599,637 20,112,064 
			 2006-07 19,195,411 20,159,859 
			 2007-08 19,592,068 20,020,916 
			 2008-09 20,515,652 20,515,652 
			 (1 )LSC allocations data 2 These figures have been calculated using the Gross Domestic Product deflators correct as at 30 June 2009